WNBA At Risk After INSANE Angel Reese Comments

WNBA at Risk After Angel Reese’s Controversial Comments: A Deep Dive Into the Backlash and Its Impact

Angel Reese, a standout in the WNBA, has long been known for her unapologetic attitude and outspoken opinions. However, her latest podcast appearance has sparked major controversy, and some fans are calling her comments downright delusional. From an unexpected take on future rookie salaries to what seems to be a sense of entitlement, Reese’s statements have ignited a firestorm of backlash. What she said—and why it backfired—has some people questioning if this could end up doing more harm than good, not just for her, but for the entire WNBA.

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Angel Reese’s “Entitled” Take

During the podcast, Reese discussed the current state of the WNBA and the potential changes to player contracts. Her focus quickly shifted to an issue that seemed to ignite her frustration: salary disparities between current players and incoming rookies.

“I’m on a one-year deal right now,” Reese remarked. “Everybody’s on a one-year, except for rookies. Except y’all. Y’all gotta pay y’all dues.”

At first glance, this might seem like a standard statement in the world of professional sports, where rookies often have to prove themselves before earning top-tier pay. But the moment that followed was anything but standard.

Reese went on to criticize the league’s approach to rookie contracts, particularly those set to be offered to players in the coming years. “The women coming in next year, they’re going to be making more than us,” she added. “They probably are. And that’s the old story of demanding more pay in a league that’s never turned a profit.”

This shift in focus from improving the league to simply resenting the success of others raised eyebrows. The idea that Reese, as a seasoned player, was fixated on rookie salaries rather than the overall growth and sustainability of the WNBA seemed to reflect a deeper sense of discontent. But it didn’t stop there.

The Demand for More

Reese’s comments took an even more dramatic turn when she mentioned the potential for a lockout, implying that the WNBA Players Association might opt out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is set to expire soon. The goal? A more favorable revenue split, with an ideal 50/50 share between the players and the league.

But here’s where things get sticky. The WNBA has been operating at a loss for years—millions of dollars in losses year after year. Even during the league’s “hype year,” in which viewership and media attention peaked, the WNBA still managed to lose $40 million. Despite all the buzz and media campaigns, the league remains financially unstable. Reese and other players were speaking of renegotiating contracts, but with what revenue exactly?

The reality is that the WNBA lacks the financial foundation to support the kind of salary increases Reese and others are demanding. It’s easy to sit at the negotiating table and demand more money, but without a solid business model to back up those demands, it’s a futile exercise that risks undermining all the progress made to date.

The Lack of Leverage

This is where Reese’s comments took a darker turn. While she spoke of leveraging the current momentum surrounding women’s basketball—especially following high-profile games and new media deals—she and others seemed to miss a critical point: the WNBA is still a fragile product. The hype and media coverage are great, but they do not automatically translate into the kind of revenue needed to justify demands for a massive increase in salaries.

“We deserve more, of course, but we gotta get face of consequences,” Reese went on, suggesting that the WNBA was on the verge of a major change. “The league’s going crazy, and it’s going to be a time next year, so I’m excited.” But while enthusiasm is vital, an air of entitlement and the rhetoric of victimhood is not. Demanding more when the league hasn’t proven it can generate sufficient revenue might hurt everyone in the long run.

The sheer arrogance in Reese’s statements was not lost on the public. There’s a big difference between negotiating for fair wages and openly threatening to halt games while the league is still struggling to build a fan base. Not to mention, her sense of entitlement to a better pay scale, despite the league’s ongoing losses, raised some major red flags. This wasn’t just an exercise in improving conditions for women in basketball; this was a demand for a paycheck with no realistic basis.

The Risk of Sabotage

And here lies the major issue: a lockout in the WNBA could result in far more damage than good. The league is still in a delicate phase of growth, and the players—many of whom already earn substantial salaries—seem more interested in their personal compensation rather than the long-term health of the league itself. It’s hard to ignore the fact that some players, including Reese, are sitting on multi-million-dollar endorsement deals, while simultaneously complaining about low wages within their league.

When you look at players like Reese, who has partnerships with McDonald’s, Hershey, Amazon, Beats by Dre, PlayStation, and Cash App, it becomes clear that the frustration is not necessarily with the amount of money she’s making—after all, her estimated net worth is $2 million. It’s more about the desire to see rookies earn more than she currently does. This doesn’t reflect a desire to better the league; it reflects personal resentment over how things are going.

Instead of capitalizing on the increased attention brought by the likes of Caitlyn Clark, Reese and others are talking about the possibility of a work stoppage. This is not negotiating power—it’s self-sabotage. The WNBA, a league that has never been a financial powerhouse, could undo all the progress it’s made by going down this path.

Comparing Reese and Caitlyn Clark

While Reese was vocal about her feelings, Caitlyn Clark, a fellow standout in women’s basketball, remains largely quiet, letting her game do the talking. Clark’s approach has earned her the admiration of fans, while Reese’s public outbursts have led to her being branded as entitled and out of touch. The difference between the two players’ approaches couldn’t be more apparent.

Clark, known for her hard work and dedication to the game, has quickly become one of the faces of the WNBA. Her focus is on growing the league and elevating women’s basketball, not on complaining about pay scales. On the other hand, Reese’s rhetoric revolves around victimhood and resentment, undermining the very cause she is trying to champion.

The Role of Victimhood

One of the most frustrating aspects of Reese’s recent comments is her victimhood mentality. Instead of acknowledging her own successes—such as her lucrative endorsement deals or her impressive achievements on the court—Reese chooses to play the victim, perpetuating the idea that she and other players are underpaid and underappreciated. This is not the mindset of a true leader; it’s the mindset of someone more focused on self-pity than on progress.

And let’s not forget Reese’s stance on criticism. She often claims that the negative comments online don’t reflect the real-life admiration she receives from fans. However, this contradictory nature only deepens the divide. If fans truly loved her for her contributions to women’s basketball, then why the need to constantly cry about being mistreated?

Closing Thoughts

At the end of the day, the WNBA’s future hinges on its ability to generate revenue, build a strong fan base, and avoid self-inflicted damage. Angel Reese’s recent comments about rookie pay and potential work stoppages may have been a poor attempt at defending her own interests, but they also expose a deeper issue within the league. If players like Reese continue to focus on personal grievances rather than the broader goals of the WNBA, they may risk undoing all the progress made over the years.

Reese and others need to realize that whining won’t lead to greatness. They need to understand that success comes through hard work, dedication, and the willingness to put the league before personal gain. If they can do that, perhaps the WNBA will have a fighting chance at becoming a truly successful league.

As fans, we can only hope that the players learn from their mistakes and work together to grow the league. The future of women’s basketball depends on it.

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