The Outburst That Went Viral

The Baltimore-born forward, known as much for her on-court trash talk as her off-court style, made the remark during a candid interview snippet. “I’m literally broke on $1,400 a week,” she said. While her salary amounts to nearly $73,000 annually, Reese’s high-profile lifestyle—including Nike endorsements, media appearances, and brand collaborations—painted a starkly different picture. Her comment, however, shines a spotlight on the ongoing pay disparity in the WNBA.

Reese’s Journey and Early Stardom

Angel Reese rose to national prominence during her college career at LSU, leading the Tigers to a 2023 national championship. Her infamous eye-roll at Caitlin Clark in the NCAA final quickly went viral, and Reese leveraged her success into a first-round WNBA draft pick. She signed a four-year, $480,000 rookie deal, translating to $1,400 per week before taxes.

Despite her personal earnings, Reese’s comment reflected frustration with the WNBA’s historically low salaries. Compared to NBA players raking in nine-figure deals, even top WNBA stars earn significantly less, despite generating substantial revenue through ticket sales and media deals.

The Financial Reality Behind Reese’s Claim

Public Reaction: Fans and Fellow Athletes Respond

A Deeper Look: Generational and Systemic Context

Managing the Fallout

Following the viral clip, Reese attempted to clarify her remarks in an Instagram Live, stating that her frustration was aimed at the system, not her own finances. She pledged 10% of her next endorsement check to support lower-salary players. While the gesture is commendable, skeptics argue it may also serve as image management, particularly with media projects in the works, such as a proposed Netflix series titled Bayou to Billions.

The WNBA and the Spotlight

Conclusion