Kenya, July 30 -- Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has set social media ablaze with a bold response to critics of her WNBA earnings, stating on her Unapologetically Angel podcast, "Y'all make $1,400 a week. I make $1,400 in 7 days," in a viral clip that has fuelled the "Angel Reese's WNBA salary clapback" narrative.
The 22-year-old rookie, who earned $74,909 in 2025 per Spotrac, used the quip to highlight her lucrative endorsement deals and unrivalled 3-on-3 league earnings, which dwarf her WNBA salary.
As the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) pushes for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by October 2025, Reese's comments amplify the ongoing debate over WNBA pay disparities, drawing both support and criticism online.
Reese's fiery remark, made during a July 2025 episode of her podcast with guest Dijonai Carrington, was a response to a parody account's meme claiming she demanded NBA-level salaries.
Sports Illustrated reported Reese clarifying, "I never said anything about the NBA. I said, 'If they don't give us what we want, we're sitting out,'" emphasising her advocacy for better WNBA pay. Her 2025 salary of $74,909, close to the U.S. per capita income of $74,545, pales against her $8,000 monthly rent, which she jokingly said leaves her "living beyond my means".
Her endorsements with Reebok, Beats by Dre, and Hershey's Reese's Pieces, valued at over $1.8 million by On3, fund her lifestyle, making her WNBA cheque a "bonus".
The "Angel Reese WNBA salary controversy 2025" stems from her vocal critique of the league's pay structure. With the WNBA's average salary at $147,745, compared to the NBA's $10.5 million, players like Reese and Caitlin Clark, who earns $78,066 in 2025, rely on off-court ventures.
Newsweek noted that 40 players, including Reese, wore "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts at the July 2025 All-Star Game, demanding a larger revenue share after the league's $2.2 billion media deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon.
Reese's threat of a 2026 player strike, echoed by veterans like Napheesa Collier, underscores the urgency of CBA talks, with the current agreement expiring October 31, 2025.
Reese's participation in the inaugural Unrivalled 3-on-3 league, which ended March 17, 2025, added a $50,000 bonus to her earnings, despite a hand injury sidelining her for the final.
TMZ reported her posting "50K NEED DATTTTT" on X, a jab at her WNBA salary's inadequacy. Unrivalled's $220,000 average salaries and equity stakes offer a stark contrast to the WNBA's $241,984 maximum.
Reese told People, "I needed that $50,000," highlighting how alternative leagues alleviate financial strain for players who traditionally played overseas, like teammate Kamilla Cardoso in China. Her success in Miami's Unrivalled league has fuelled calls for WNBA reform.
The "Angel Reese's WNBA salary clapback" has polarised Facebook users. Supporters praised her advocacy, with one posting, "Angel's fighting for all WNBA players, not just herself!"
Critics, however, slammed her spending, with comments like, "$8,000 rent on a $74K salary? Live within your means!" Reese countered on X, resharing a fan's post: "People clown WNBA salaries then get mad at Angel for getting other bags."
A March 5, 2025, X post falsely claimed Reese demanded NBA-level pay, prompting her to clarify, "I love how y'all have selective hearing," linking to her podcast for context. Athlon Sports reported her frustration with misinformation, emphasising her focus on collective WNBA gains, not NBA comparisons.
She stated, "It's for everybody else, the people coming behind me," highlighting future rookies who could earn more under a new CBA. The viral meme from BricksCenter, joking about her $1,400 remark, sparked laughter but muddied her message, with fans on Reddit's r/FluentInFinance debating her financial acumen versus her advocacy.
Future of WNBA Salaries and Reese's Role The WNBA's $40 million 2024 loss, per Newsweek, is a sticking point in CBA talks, but the $2.2 billion media deal signals growth.
Sportico reported players seeking to eliminate the hard salary cap and secure 50% of revenue, unlike the current 25%. Reese's influence, amplified by her 2024 rebounding lead (13.1 per game) and All-Star status, makes her a key voice.
NPR noted that her rivalry with Caitlin Clark and the 2025 draft class, including Paige Bueckers, drives viewership, pressuring owners to act. A potential 2026 strike looms if demands aren't met, with Reese vowing to stay vocal for equitable pay.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.