Angel Reese Shocked at WNBA Owners’ Stance on Giving Players What They Deserve

Over the past two years, the WNBA has been growing exponentially. The influx of fresh young star players such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has been touted as the primary reason for their surge in popularity.

The duo is responsible for drawing millions of viewers, packing arenas, as well as driving merchandise sales to never-before-seen levels. These factors are driving the league to earn more revenue than ever before.

On the other hand, the WNBA has not yet broken even, and has been losing $10 million a year before the 2024 season. Last year’s introduction of chartered planes was rumored to cost the league an additional $50 million.

The league’s top brass has often used these reasons to keep player, coaches, and staff salaries low. Now, along with the new media-rights deal, which will provide a $200 million windfall, players are asking for more.

They rejected the first CBA proposal that the league and its owners sent to them. They termed it a ‘slap on the face’. With time running down, another meeting was scheduled on the 1st day of the 2025 All-Star weekend.

The idea was to have the best players in the league attend the meeting with the commissioner and the owners. Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark were part of the 40-odd players who listened to the discussions.

It’s bigger than me. … We’re not gonna stop until we get what we want, and yesterday’s meeting really woke me up to the eyes of we aren’t getting what we deserve.

Angel Reese told Meghan L. Hall

I asked Angel Reese about the CBA negotiations and the most important steps going forward now.

Reese: “It’s bigger than me. … We’re not gonna stop until we get what we want, and yesterday’s meeting really woke me up to the eyes of we aren’t getting what we deserve.” pic.twitter.com/oxjPPYAyu4

— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) July 18, 2025

The Chicago Sky star reiterated that she was initially not aware of what the owners and the league were proposing. But being in person at the meeting opened her eyes. She wants to continue fighting for the players.

Angel Reese had earlier threatened to sit out if demands were not met

The 2020 CBA brought in a significant increase in salaries, in addition to maternity benefits, as well as some other methods to help their athletes earn more. Even then, a massive wage gap exists between the WNBA players and those of the NBA.

Players want the league to start paying them more than what they are currently. They believe they have proved that the league can be entertaining for fans, which will drive in additional revenue and growth.

On the growth part, the league has just sanctioned 3 additional expansion teams. That means by 2030, the WNBA will be composed of 18 teams as opposed to the 12 they had when Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark were drafted.

Those last 3 teams paid $250 million each. Those figures confirm that the league is about to take off, and those owners want to be a part of it. This is why Reese once threatened to sit out if the players’ demands were not met.

Now that the Chicago Sky star is aware of the specifics of these discussions, it is possible that players talk amongst themselves and the union to come to a conclusion. The October 1st deadline is approaching, and they have a lot to talk about.

Gabby Williams reveals WNBA’s methods to push other leagues out

Angel Reese and 35 other players were a part of the inaugural Unrivaled League. Those players were given far better salaries and facilities than the WNBA did. In its 1st year, they broke even, despite Caitlin Clark not playing.

Players have been using their experience at Unrivaled to push the WNBA to provide more. However, the league does not seem to be interested in doing that, as Seattle Storm and France star Gabby Williams revealed:

It’s very clear that the league wants to push away all other leagues, without still paying more than those leagues pay us. It would make sense if they would pay us more here.

Gabby Williams said

The 1st-time All-Star was very vocal about the WNBA’s double standards when it comes to controlling its players’ offseasons. Last year, she was initially not allowed to return after starring for France at the Paris Olympics.

“especially being in that CBA meeting yesterday, it’s very clear that the league wants to push away all other leagues” man!!!!!!! gabby would take down cathy and co. all by herself if she could. GET THEM pic.twitter.com/eJMMUJSYvA

— 🏀 (@useyourlegs) July 18, 2025

After public pressure, she was allowed, but she made it clear that the league should not be in a position to dictate terms when they do not pay a fraction of what European leagues or Unrivaled do. She wants to use the collective might of her peers to ensure the WNBA gives what the players deserve.

Also Read:

• Caitlin Clark Lashing At Official After No-Calls Marr TD Garden Win Infuriates Fans: “Always Whining”
• Caitlin Clark Biographer Points Out More Bias From Her WNBA Peers In Latest Survey