Angel Reese has never been afraid to speak her mind. Throughout her career, she has positioned herself as one of the most outspoken and polarizing figures in women’s basketball. However, her latest move—calling for WNBA players to boycott the 2025 season over pay disparities—may have just put her career in jeopardy.
Reports have surfaced that Reese is now facing a hefty fine from the WNBA for her comments, and some are even questioning whether she will ever play in the league again.
Has Angel Reese gone too far this time? Will this boycott threat end up backfiring on her career? Let’s break down everything that’s happening, from the reality of WNBA salaries to the growing divide between Angel Reese and the league’s leadership.
Angel Reese’s Boycott Threat – What Did She Say?
During a recent episode of her podcast, Reese made the boldest statement of her career, saying:
“If they don’t pay us what we deserve, we’re sitting out.”
🔥 She claimed WNBA salaries are unacceptable.
🔥 She warned that players would refuse to participate in the 2025 season unless their demands were met.
🔥 She doubled down on social media, stating that players should “know their worth” and “fight for what they deserve.”
Her comments quickly went viral, sparking a fierce debate among fans, analysts, and even other WNBA players.
While some players supported her stance, others criticized her approach, arguing that boycotting would hurt the league rather than help it.
The WNBA’s Response – A Hefty Fine for Reese?
Shortly after Reese’s comments gained national attention, reports emerged that the WNBA is considering issuing a hefty fine against her for attempting to incite a league-wide boycott.
📌 The WNBA has strict policies against players encouraging others to refuse participation.
📌 Violating these policies could result in financial penalties—or even a suspension.
📌 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has reportedly been in discussions with team owners about potential disciplinary action.
This is not the first time the WNBA has taken action against outspoken players. However, Reese’s situation is unique because of how early she is in her career.
While veteran players may have more leverage to negotiate salaries, Reese is still on her rookie contract—meaning she has very little bargaining power compared to the league’s biggest stars.
Her decision to publicly challenge the WNBA leadership may now be costing her more than she anticipated.
WNBA Salaries – Is Reese’s Argument Valid?
Reese’s main argument is that WNBA players deserve more money.
And in some ways, she’s absolutely right.
🔹 The average WNBA salary is around $130,000 per year, significantly less than NBA salaries.
🔹 Many WNBA players go overseas during the offseason to earn additional income.
🔹 With the WNBA’s popularity growing, players believe they should see a bigger share of the revenue.
But here’s the problem—the WNBA still isn’t profitable on its own.
📉 The league reportedly lost around $40 million last year.
📉 It still relies on NBA subsidies and sponsorships to stay afloat.
📉 While ticket sales and TV ratings are improving, the WNBA isn’t yet generating enough revenue to support massive pay raises.
So, while Reese’s frustration is understandable, her timing and strategy may be flawed.
Caitlin Clark’s Impact – The Real Reason WNBA Salaries Are Increasing
One of the biggest ironies in this entire situation is that Angel Reese’s biggest rival, Caitlin Clark, is actually the reason WNBA salaries will increase in the future.
Clark’s impact on the WNBA has been nothing short of revolutionary:
✅ Record-breaking TV ratings every time she plays.
✅ Ticket sales and attendance at an all-time high.
✅ Merchandise sales are shattering records.
✅ WNBA teams are moving games to bigger arenas to accommodate more fans.
Essentially, Clark is bringing in the money that players like Reese want to be paid.
But instead of acknowledging Clark’s impact, Reese has tried to downplay it, insisting that WNBA popularity isn’t just about one player.
Her boycott threat, however, suggests she doesn’t fully understand how professional sports work. Salaries don’t increase just because players demand them—they increase when revenue supports higher salaries.
Right now, Clark is driving that revenue—not Reese.
How This Boycott Threat Could End Reese’s Career
By threatening to sit out the season, Angel Reese may have made one of the biggest mistakes of her career.
Here’s why:
❌ She’s still a rookie – meaning she doesn’t have leverage.
❌ She’s already been labeled a “distraction” by some WNBA analysts.
❌ Her on-court performance hasn’t matched her off-court confidence.
❌ Top free agents have actively avoided signing with the Chicago Sky.
Instead of focusing on improving her game, Reese has spent more time on social media controversies, podcast debates, and public feuds.
While Clark and other top players are letting their performance speak for itself, Reese is creating unnecessary drama.
At some point, WNBA teams may decide she’s more trouble than she’s worth.
Reese’s Future – Can She Still Recover?
Despite the negative attention surrounding her boycott threat, Reese still has time to turn things around.
To repair her reputation, she needs to:
✔️ Focus on basketball, not controversy.
✔️ Prove her worth with dominant on-court performances.
✔️ Work on her efficiency and finishing at the rim.
✔️ Build a better relationship with WNBA leadership.
If she continues down her current path, however, her career could spiral out of control quickly.
Final Thoughts – Is Angel Reese’s Career in Jeopardy?
Angel Reese has the potential to be a WNBA star, but she needs to make smarter decisions.
Instead of threatening boycotts, she should be working to improve her game and solidify her place as an elite player.
If she’s not careful, she risks becoming more known for her off-court drama than for her actual basketball skills.
Meanwhile, players like Caitlin Clark are elevating the league, increasing revenue, and securing future salary raises—all without threatening to sit out.
Reese has a choice:
🔹 Step up and prove she deserves to be one of the highest-paid players in the league.
🔹 Or continue making headlines for the wrong reasons and risk being left behind.
Right now, the WNBA’s future looks brighter than ever—but for Angel Reese, that future remains uncertain.
