WNBA star Angel Reese recently sparked a heated discussion on social media after stating that players might sit out games to negotiate higher salaries. During her podcast, Reese and fellow player DiJonai Carrington discussed the upcoming WNBA collective bargaining agreement, with Reese saying, “I’ve got to get in the meetings because I’m hearing like, ‘If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out.'” Carrington confirmed that striking was a possibility.
Reese has previously expressed concerns about her financial situation as a WNBA player. She has openly admitted that her salary does not cover her expenses. “The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think it pays one of my bills. Literally,” she said. Her remarks ignited debate online, as some questioned the financial sustainability of the league, which has never turned a profit and has been financially supported by the NBA.
In response to social media discussions, Reese directly called out a conservative influencer who falsely claimed she was demanding an NBA-level salary. Reese clarified, “I never said anything about the NBA. We are prepared to stay at the negotiating table for as long as it takes.” The original post making that claim has since been deleted.
Reese signed a four-year rookie contract worth $324,383 before her debut season in 2024. She earned under $75,000 in her first year and will make less than that in 2025. In October, she went on Instagram Live to express her financial struggles, admitting, “I’m living beyond my means. Hating pays them bills, baby. I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all.” She estimated her salary at $74,000 and stated that her rent alone costs $8,000 per month. “Babe, if y’all thought… That WNBA check don’t pay a thing,” she said. “Did that even pay my car note? … I wouldn’t even be able to eat a sandwich with that. I wouldn’t even be able to eat. I wouldn’t be able to live.”
The WNBA players’ union chose to opt out of its current collective bargaining agreement in October, two years before it was set to expire. However, the existing contract remains in effect for the 2025 season, giving both sides a year to negotiate new terms.