Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese took to Instagram live on Wednesday to chronicle how her WNBA salary isn’t helping to pay her bills.
Angel Reese details harsh financial reality of WNBA pay – ‘doesn’t cover half my bills’
The rookie earned $73,469 after being selected with the seventh pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU. Reece averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds to finish second in the league’s Rookie of the Year vote.
“Hating pays my bills, baby,” Reese said. “The WNBA doesn’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at. I’m gonna do the math real quick. I don’t even know my [WNBA] salary.”
“I’m living beyond my means. My rent is more than that, it’s $8,000.”
From a salary perspective, the league’s biggest earner on an annual basis is Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces. The star signed a two-year, S504,900 contract ahead of the 2024 season.
Most WNBA players turn to sponsorship deals or playing overseas to supplement their income, though the latter can come with serious risks.
Famously, Phoenix Mercury forward Brittany Griner was arrested and detained in Russia for possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Seattle Storm rookie guard Nika Muhl tore her ACL in her first game for Besiktas in early October.
Nika Muhl of Besiktas gets injured during FIBA Women’s Super Cup basketball match between Fenerbahce Opet and Besiktas at the Basketball Development Center in Istanbul© Getty images
Storm star Gabby Williams spoke about her decision to play overseas: “If I make a choice to make more money, whatever, and then teams are mad that I don’t come back, but that’s how it is. The WNBA, if you want us to be here, you have to pay us more. It’s business, it’s how it works, and that’s all that means.”
Reese has signed endorsement deals with Reece’s Pieces, Reebok, Beats by Dre, Panini America, and others. The Sky hosted a “Barbie Game Night” for Reese thanks to her partnership with Mettel.
The forward wore custom shoes featuring Reeses Pieces-inspired designs for part of the 2024 WNBA campaign. “I wanted to deliver something that they could proudly wear this season,” Reese said about the shoes.
“We worked as quickly as possible with Reese’s to build a collection that really reflected who I am: bold, vibrant and unapologetically me.”
Reese also signed to play in Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier’s “Unrivaled” basketball league starting in January 2025. The 3v3 league will feature some of the WNBA’s biggest stars and offer players a chance at six-figure salaries.
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income.,” Stewart said. “With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.”
