Chicago Sky star Angel Reese seemingly took a jab at the WNBA, saying she’s excited to play for a new rival league that “gives equity to players.”
The comments come amidst news that the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has opted out of the league’s current collective bargaining agreement as they seek an “equity-based” economic model.
Reese spoke to Athlon Sports on a variety of topics, including the inaugural season of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league that begins play in January 2025.
“I’m excited for the league’s first season!” she said. “It’s amazing to be a part of a league that gives equity to players. I’m looking forward to playing with the best athletes and really using the time to focus on my game and getting better too.”
Angel Reese Ready To Cash In With Unrivaled
Angel Reese might be using the Unrivaled League to improve her game or she might be using it to help afford her exorbitant rent. Maybe it’s both.
In a recent podcast appearance, Reese trashed the WNBA for not paying players enough and indicated the league salary wasn’t enough to cover her housing costs. Which she admitted is $8,000 per month.
$8,000 per month? Nearly $100,000 per year?! How about we start with some equity on rent payments?
Unrivaled, co-founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, promises to pay the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history. The league announced that they’d signed Angel Reese – or “305 Barbie” – last month.
Unrivaled has financial backing from Ally Financial and some of the world’s top athletes. They state they will provide six-figure deals, with all 30 players (on six teams) receiving equity.
All about that equity.
THE BARBIE IS UNRIVALED👑 10/30✅ TAG WHO’S NEXT 👀 @Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/9XqmgXmsqa
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) July 24, 2024
Joining Some High-Profile Names
Angel Reese will be joining some major basketball firepower in the Unrivaled League – names such as Stewart, Collier, Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, and Kelsey Plum.
The league’s innovative approach and commitment to providing the highest salaries in women’s professional sports league history could make it a game-changer in the world of women’s basketball.
And they’re targeting the fact that the WNBA is forcing major stars – including Caitlin Clark and Reese – to earn most of their money off the court.
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income,” Stewart said, via the New York Post. “With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.”
Will the lure of equity-based payments attract more players? Are they a threat to the WNBA which is facing a $40 million loss this season as well as a looming work stoppage?
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