Here’s a story that will make you rethink everything you know about success in sports: Angel Reese once boldly declared that the WNBA doesn’t pay her bills—yet today, she’s one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. But how did she pull off this remarkable turnaround? Let’s dive in.
Angel Reese’s journey began far from the glitz of professional sports. As AFROTECH™ previously highlighted, Reese’s roots are deeply grounded in humility. She openly shared that she ‘used to be broke,’ even working shifts at Smashburger before heading to high school basketball practice. It’s a reminder that even the brightest stars often start in the shadows.
But here’s where it gets controversial: The WNBA, despite being the pinnacle of women’s basketball, has long faced criticism for its player compensation. Reese herself admitted in a 2024 live session, ‘The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally.’ Her four-year, $324,383 contract with the Chicago Sky, with a base salary of $74,909, simply wasn’t enough to cover her expenses. This raises a critical question: Is the WNBA doing enough to support its athletes financially?
And this is the part most people miss: Reese’s financial breakthrough didn’t come from her league salary—it came from her savvy off-court moves. The name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy, introduced in 2021, became her game-changer. She secured high-profile deals with brands like Coach, Wingstop, McDonald’s, Raising Cane’s, and Reebok, turning her personal brand into a money-making machine.
Her business acumen didn’t stop there. Reese expanded her portfolio with partnerships that brought in significant cash flow, including collaborations with Juicy Couture, Gucci, NBA 2K, Shea Moisture, and Cash App. Her multi-year endorsement deal with Reebok was particularly groundbreaking. Her signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, sold out within minutes of its September launch and again in October, proving her market appeal.
Reese also joined Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league that guarantees players six-figure salaries and equity stakes. ‘Everybody got equity coming into this league, that’s the most important thing,’ Reese said during a virtual press conference. ‘I know five years from now this thing is gonna be bigger than ever.’ Her forward-thinking approach to financial security is a lesson for athletes everywhere.
Here’s the kicker: Forbes now reports that Reese earned a staggering $9.4 million in 2025, ranking her No. 15 among the world’s highest-paid female athletes. This is a far cry from her early days of struggling to make ends meet. But it also sparks a debate: Should athletes rely on off-court earnings to thrive, or should leagues like the WNBA step up their compensation?
Reese’s story is more than just a success tale—it’s a call to action. It challenges us to rethink the value we place on women’s sports and the systems that support (or fail) them. What do you think? Is the WNBA doing enough, or is it time for a major overhaul? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.
