The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark continues to brew beneath the surface, proving that even as teammates in the WNBA, old tensions haven’t disappeared.
Though both players entered the league as part of the highly anticipated 2024 WNBA Draft class, it’s clear that Reese is not ready to hand Clark the title of WNBA’s best player – not by a long shot.
Recently, Reese made headlines after snubbing Caitlin Clark and instead crowning A’ja Wilson as the league’s top talent. It all started when a fan criticized Reese on TikTok, accusing her of demanding higher pay while supposedly “bullying” the WNBA’s best player – a thinly veiled reference to Clark.
The fan’s harsh comment read, “Demanding more money after bullying the WNBA best player out of the league is crazy.” But Reese wasted no time clapping back, responding bluntly: “When did I try to bully A’ja?”
Her sharp comeback made it clear: In Reese‘s eyes, Wilson holds the crown – not Clark. And in doing so, she delivered yet another reminder that her relationship with Clark remains anything but friendly.
Reese’s CBA Threat Adds Fuel to the Fire
Beyond the rivalry, Reese has been outspoken in her fight for better pay and working conditions in the WNBA, especially as the league prepares to renegotiate its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
With the WNBPA opting out of the current CBA last October, players are pushing for more than just bigger paychecks. They want a larger share of league revenue and improved benefits, reflective of the growing influence and popularity of women’s basketball.
Reese has even suggested that players are ready to strike if their demands aren’t met. Speaking on her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, Reese said:
“I need to be in the [players’ union] meetings because I’m hearing that if [the league] don’t give us what we want, we’re sitting out,” she said.
While WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson hasn’t publicly addressed Reese‘s comments, she has emphasized the union’s focus on securing a “transformational deal” for players.
Still, Reese‘s outspoken role in these discussions has drawn mixed reactions from fans – especially those who see Clark as the league’s true rising star.
After all, Clark‘s record-breaking attendance figures, merchandise sales, and game viewership have significantly boosted the WNBA’s profile, making her the face of the league’s growth.
Many fans argue that if anyone has earned the right to push for higher wages, it’s Clark. And that may be why Reese‘s ongoing jabs at her rival have struck a nerve with the public.
A Rivalry That Won’t Die Down
The tension between Reese and Clark dates back to their NCAA days, when they were constantly pitted against each other as two of the sport’s brightest stars.
The rivalry reached new heights when Reese celebrated a flagrant foul by her teammate Chennedy Carter against Clark – a moment that went viral and sparked even more debate about Reese’s attitude toward her fellow rookie.
Although both women helped usher in historic viewership numbers for the WNBA in 2024, Reese‘s reluctance to share the spotlight with Clark is impossible to ignore.
In the end, Angel Reese continues to make waves, not just for her play on the court but also for her unfiltered opinions.
Whether fans love her or hate her, Reese has cemented herself as one of the WNBA’s most polarizing figures – and her rivalry with Caitlin Clark is far from over.
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