Chicago Sky star and former LSU standout Angel Reese said during an Instagram Live video that her first-year salary in the WNBA did not cover rent this season, much less her lifestyle. Reese said she earned $74,000 with the Sky and is not sure what her annual salary is with the franchise.
“I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all,” Reese said on the social media platform. “I don’t even think that pays one of my bills, literally. I don’t even know my salary. I’m living beyond my means. My rent is more than that, it’s $8,000.”
Reese, who holds several marketing deals including Reebok and is trying to scale her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, is trying to grow the game and tap into the league’s off-the-court flare as a fashion influencer of sorts.
“Being able to know that I’m more than an athlete and that’s just to continue what I love to do,” Reese said.
Reese, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her first season with the Sky as one of the league’s top rookies. Reese recently lost a $100,000 bet with Shaq on a free throw attempt, but given her apparent financial struggles it’s hard to imagine the Basketball Hall of Famer actually making her pay up on the wager.
Earlier this month, Reese used her social media presence to reflect on her first season, notably sending a poignant message to her critics. Reese’s star power grew substantially since her rise to fame included a stellar career at LSU included a two-time All-American nod and the 2023 national championship.
“Hating pays too so cry about it,” Reese captioned a photo on Instagram.
Reese, whose terrific first season in the WNBA was cut short with an injury, finished second in rookie of the year voting to Caitlin Clark and welcomes the public villain role between the two stars. Reese appeared to break her silence on the final voting earlier this month, but no there’s been no word yet if her veiled tweet was aimed at Clark. The former Iowa standout and college basketball’s all-time leading scorer finished her first season in the WNBA averaging 19.2 points per game, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists.
“I really just be minding my business cause it’s a lot to mind,” Reese wrote.
Clark earned All-WNBA First team and made WNBA history by being the first player to record 20-plus points, 15-plus assists and five or more rebounds in a game.
Earlier this fall, Reese shared horror stories from her rookie season after dealing with Clark’s fans. During a recent episode of Reese’s podcast, she said revealed some of the vitriol she has experienced during his first season.
