Angel Reese Reveals WNBA Salary Insufficient for Living Expenses
Angel Reese, one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players, has been open about the financial struggles that come with being a professional female basketball player. Even as a popular figure, Reese can’t cover her personal expenses—like her $8,000 monthly rent—on her WNBA salary alone.
This really shines a light on the stubbornly low salaries in the league. It’s tough to ignore just how much these pay gaps impact even the top stars.
Angel Reese’s Financial Reality in the WNBA
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When Reese joined the Chicago Sky as a forward, her reputation in women’s basketball was already well-established. But the league’s pay structure capped her contract at $324,383 for four seasons, averaging out to $81,096 per year.
For her rookie year in 2024, Reese’s actual take-home pay was $73,749. That number doesn’t stack up well against her living expenses—especially her $8,000-a-month apartment in Chicago’s South Loop.
Living Beyond Means
She picked a high-rise apartment with great views and fancy amenities, but it sets her back $96,000 a year. That’s more than her entire WNBA salary.
On Instagram Live, Reese admitted her WNBA paycheck just doesn’t cover her bills. She even said she’s “living beyond her means.” It’s not just her; lots of WNBA players are in the same boat, struggling to make salaries match the real cost of living.
The Broader Financial Landscape of the WNBA
Financial struggles like Reese’s have been around for a while. Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird, both legends, played overseas during the offseason just to make ends meet.
It’s wild that after all these years, the pay structure hasn’t changed much, and today’s players still face similar money problems.
Endorsements and Additional Income
Luckily, Reese gets a big boost from endorsements and other basketball gigs. Before she even joined the WNBA, her NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) valuation hit $1.8 million thanks to deals with brands like Reebok, Topps, Airbnb, Tampax, Hershey’s Reese candy, and Beats by Dre.
These deals really help her keep up her lifestyle, even though her WNBA salary is on the low side.
Alternative Revenue Streams
Reese also plays in the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, where players earn six-figure salaries—anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000. The league doesn’t say exactly what Reese makes, but her team, the Rose Basketball Club, won the first-ever title, netting her a cool $50,000 bonus.
Without these extra sources of income, it’d be a lot harder for players like Reese to stay financially stable.
Future Salary Prospects
Even with her outside earnings, Reese won’t see her WNBA salary top $93,636 until at least 2027. That just keeps the conversation going about how the league pays its players.
Sure, stars like Reese can cash in on their fame, but lots of players can’t. The league really needs to look at fixing these pay gaps.
The Need for Salary Reforms in the WNBA
Reese’s story makes it pretty clear: the WNBA has to rethink how it pays its athletes. Players should be able to afford a decent standard of living without having to hustle for outside gigs just to pay the bills.
Honestly, better pay would go a long way toward making the league more competitive and appealing—not just for players, but for fans too.
Conclusion
Angel Reese’s story really shines a light on the tough financial realities for WNBA players. Even though she’s one of the most recognized names in women’s basketball, her WNBA salary doesn’t actually cover her basic living costs.
Reese keeps things afloat thanks to endorsements and other ways to earn money. That alone says a lot about the pay gaps in the league. Curious about how she manages it all, or what this means for the WNBA as a whole? You can dig deeper into Angel Reese’s financial journey and the bigger picture of WNBA salaries over at Basketball Network.