Angel Reese‘s proud moment of buying her first home at 22 has quickly turned into a heated debate among WNBA fans. The Chicago Sky forward, known for her outspoken stance on league compensation, shared her achievement on social media – only to be reminded by fans of her earlier criticism of WNBA salaries.
Reese, who earns $73,439 in her rookie season and will receive just over $300,000 across her current WNBA contract, has previously made headlines for claiming the league’s pay wasn’t enough to cover her living expenses.
In a viral Instagram Live session, she admitted, “I’m living beyond my means. That WNBA check don’t pay a thing.”
Fans push back as Reese celebrates financial milestone
Fast forward to today, Reese‘s announcement that she had bought a house sparked a flurry of reactions – many of them skeptical. Fans were quick to recall her public frustrations about salary limitations, particularly her claim that she spends $8,000 per month on rent.
One user responded to her celebration bluntly: “Thought you said you weren’t getting paid enough lol.” Another added, “On 70k a year?” – highlighting the contradiction between her previous complaints and the financial milestone she now boasts.
Of course, Reese‘s financial flexibility comes from more than just her WNBA paycheck. She has secured major endorsement deals, including partnerships with Reebok, McDonald’s, and other national brands, which have reportedly elevated her total earnings into seven figures annually.
Still, fans weren’t ready to let go of her earlier comments. One wrote, “Looks like someone is getting paid more than enough.” Another post jabbed at her on-court performance, “Missing layups getting paid.”
The criticism comes as the WNBA prepares for critical CBA negotiations, with discussions around player salaries expected to dominate. While many players – including Reese – have called for significant increases, her success outside of the league now complicates that message in the public eye.
Though Reese remains a rising star and a vocal advocate for women’s sports, her journey also illustrates the complex relationship between athlete branding and public perception in a league still fighting for financial parity.
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