Featured Image Credit: John Nacion / Contributor via Getty
Topics: WNBA, Basketball
James Taylor
Angel Reese has announced a new deal with Victoria’s Secret that she will hope can reignite the debate surrounding the WNBA pay gap.
The discussion about the disparity between the NBA and WNBA salaries has intensified in recent months, with many of the women's biggest stars voicing their concerns.
Given the rapid growth of the women's basketball league and its increasing commercial appeal, players like Reese do not think they are paid fairly.
Just last week, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier criticised the league's commissioner Cathy Engelbert over the issue.
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Collier explained: “I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel and Paige, who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years.
"Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $60 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything'.”
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Reese's commercial appeal has continued to rise, and she recently announced that she will walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on October 15, becoming the first professional athlete to do so.
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She also formed a global partnership with the brand, following a collaboration with Juicy Couture announced on her social media last Monday.
Through these deals, Reese will hope that she can draw attention not just to her own career, but stars throughout the WNBA Just last year, Reese claimed that her $73,000 salary did not cover her $96,000 per year rent.
The Rose BC star explained that she could only manage financially through endorsement deals and to play during the off-season in the Unrivalled six-a-side league.
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During an Instagram live stream, she said: "“I just hope y’all know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills, [the salary] isn't enough to pay my car note, I wouldn’t even be able to eat, I wouldn’t be able to live.
"I'm living beyond my means!"
The league are yet to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement with the players, despite a deadline of October 31.
Players are pushing for significant changes to reflect the league's huge growth in recent years.
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Under the current WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which expires at the end of October, players are entitled to 25 per cent of profits, but only if revenue targets are met.
According to IndyStar, that means the best players can earn up to $250,000 per year, while rookies start on salaries of around $72,000.
By contrast, NBA, stars are entitled to 50 per cent of all revenue generated regardless of whether targets are met.
Reese will hope that by continuing to grow her profile she will help secure a better deal with the league.