WNBA star Angel Reese recently shared a surprising revelation about her salary. During an Instagram Live session on October 15, following her attendance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City, the 22-year-old Chicago Sky forward admitted that she “wouldn’t even be able to live” on her annual basketball salary alone.
“I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at [in Chicago]. I’m gonna do the math real quick," Reese said, according to a clip reposted by Plugged Soundz.
After the Louisiana State University alum calculated her spending, noting that her rent is $8,000 per month, Reese exclaimed: “I’m living beyond my means!”
“I wouldn’t even be able to get a sandwich if I wanted to. I wouldn’t be able to eat. I wouldn’t be able to live," she added.
Reese's contract
In 2024, Reese signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Sky valued at $324,383, with an expected annual salary of $73,439 for the WNBA season, according to Spotrac. Like fellow star Caitlin Clark, she could earn over $1 million from brand endorsements. Last year, Reese signed a multi-year deal with Reebok to launch her personal collection, "Angel’s Picks." Additionally, her endorsement portfolio includes brands such as Beats by Dre, Tampax, Airbnb, Amazon, PlayStation, Bose, Raising Cane’s, Sonic, and Mielle Organics, totaling around $1.8 million, as reported by Spotrac.
Reese's situation echoes that of Clark, who, after being the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, signed a four-year contract worth $338,056. Her rookie salary for this season is $76,535, with projections of $97,582 by the end of her contract.
Fans have expressed outrage over the salaries of WNBA players, noting the stark contrast with their male counterparts in the NBA. One fan remarked that Clark's rookie salary resembled an entry-level project manager's pay. Another criticized the disparity, emphasizing that these athletes have generated more headlines than many current male players, calling for equitable pay in sports.
Even President Joe Biden has weighed in, urging for fair compensation for female athletes. He stated that despite their groundbreaking achievements, women in sports are often underpaid, highlighting the need for equal opportunities for daughters as well as sons.
“Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all,” he wrote on X. “But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share.
“It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve,” Biden added.
The WNBA generates approximately $60 million annually from media rights and licensing deals with platforms like Amazon, CBS, and ION. In contrast, the average NBA team is valued at around $3.85 billion, with franchises like the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers exceeding $6 billion, according to Forbes.
