Angel Reese claimed she can't cover her bills on WNBA salary as players reject huge pay increase offer
Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese once claimed that her WNBA salary does not cover her bills amid the ongoing pay dispute between the league and its players.
Reese, 23, is just one of several WNBA players who have spoken out about the pay they receive in recent years.
Just last month, players warming up ahead of the All-Star Game wore shirts bearing the message “Pay us what you owe us.”
This came after a collective bargaining deal stalled during All-Star week. Negotiations between the WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players Association have continued, but as things stand, a deal has yet to be reached.
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On Monday (August 18), reports from Fadeaway World claimed that “players rejected a proposal that would have quadrupled their minimum salary from $66,000 to $250,000 and pushed the maximum up to $1 million”.
However, the deal was considered a “slap in the face,” according to the Union rep Satou Sabally, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury.
"I think we can focus on our players in the union," she said.
"We got a proposal from the league that was honestly a slap in the face. I think we really need to put an emphasis on the players that are in our league right now, but I love to see the league growing. I think adding teams in Philly and Detroit that’s amazing, is that the league can grow."
Compared to their male counterparts who compete in the NBA, female players are still paid significantly less.
According to SI, the average annual salary for NBA players during the 2024-25 season was an estimated $11,910,649, while the mean for female players was around $147,000 as per Directv Insider.
Back in 2024, Chicago Sky star Reese even claimed that her wage did not cover all of her bills.
Speaking on Instagram last year, Reese said: “The WNBA don't pay my bills at all. I don't even think it pays one of my bills. Literally."
The 23-year-old then revealed how she pays $8,000 per month on rent - or $96,000 per year - dwarfing the $73,439 she reportedly made during her first season with the Sky.
Reese also profits from various brand endorsements and works with clothing manufacturer Reebok, food outlet McDonald’s, as well as PlayStation, Amazon and CashApp.
“That check that I do get here is a bonus," Reese said in her rookie year.
"Being able to play for what, four to five months, and get $75,000 on top of the other endorsements that I'm doing, I think it's a plus for me."
Topics: Basketball, WNBA
Luke Davies