Rising WNBA star Angel Reese recently made headlines when she raised the possibility of a strike if the demands of the new collective bargaining agreement were not met. Speaking during a discussion with teammate Dijonai Carrington, Reese emphasized the willingness of WNBA players to stop playing in order to achieve better conditions.
Reese expressed dissatisfaction with her current rookie salary of $75,000 a year, saying it’s not enough to cover living expenses, including monthly rent of up to $8,000. She also fears that future rookies could receive even lower salaries under the next collective bargaining agreement.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has decided to withdraw from the current CBA, which is set to expire in October 2025 instead of 2027, in order to negotiate better pay, working conditions, and benefits. This decision comes amid major investments in the WNBA, including an 11-year, $2.2 billion media contract and team expansion plans.
Reese has distinguished herself both on the field and in her commercial endeavors. She signed a contract with Reebok and starred in the “Sport is Everything” ad campaign. She also launched a “Reebok by Angel” collection and is expected to have her own shoe in 2026.
Angel Reese, a prominent star in the WNBA, recently sent a powerful message regarding ongoing negotiations about player salaries and benefits. She stated that if the league does not meet the players’ demands for fair compensation, they are prepared to “sit out.” Reese emphasized, “If you don’t give us what we want, we stay away.” This statement comes amidst tense negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). The current disparity in salaries between the NBA and WNBA has sparked these discussions, with many players, including Reese, calling for more equitable pay that better reflects their talent and contribution to the sport.
Additionally, Reese also competed in Unrivaled, a 3×3 women’s basketball league, where she recorded 22 points and 21 rebounds in a single game, becoming the first player in the league to achieve this feat.
Reese and her teammates’ willingness to strike reflects their commitment to improving playing conditions and financial fairness within the WNBA. With the support of the WNBPA and increased investment in the league, the players hope to achieve positive changes in the next collective bargaining agreement.
Angel Reese’s bold statement about the potential for a player strike in the WNBA highlights growing frustration among players regarding the league’s financial structure. The current minimum salary for WNBA players is significantly lower compared to their NBA counterparts. For example, the minimum NBA salary is around $1.16 million, while WNBA players earn as little as $64,154 annually. Reese, a star forward for the league, has openly stated that her WNBA earnings are insufficient to cover her living expenses, reflecting a broader issue faced by many players in the league.
Reese’s comments come at a pivotal moment as the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) enter negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). While the WNBA has made strides in terms of visibility and growth, the disparity in compensation and benefits compared to other professional sports leagues remains a significant issue. Many WNBA players, like Reese, argue that their level of talent and the growing popularity of women’s basketball should be reflected in better salaries and more lucrative contracts.
This situation also highlights the pressure on the WNBA to evolve both in terms of financial investment and how the league compensates its players. The prospect of a player strike could have far-reaching consequences for the league, potentially impacting its reputation, fan engagement, and overall operations. However, many players and advocates support the idea, believing it is necessary to ensure fair treatment and long-term growth for the women’s professional basketball league.
As negotiations continue, all eyes are on both the WNBPA and the league to see if an agreement can be reached that addresses the concerns of the players while maintaining the league’s financial health. This ongoing battle for equality within the sport is poised to shape the future of women’s professional basketball.