Angel Reese has been proving doubters wrong since day one. Once told she’d never make more than $2,000 playing basketball, the Chicago Sky forward now sits at the intersection of culture, sport, and business. “When NIL first started, I was told I was never going to make over $2,000,”Reese recalled last year. “That’s crazy to think about now.”
Crazy, indeed. Fast forward to today, and the 22-year-old is a multimillion-dollar brand with more than 20 partnerships – from Reebok and PlayStation to Airbnb, Amazon, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, per On3. But behind the success is a plan. Reese’s agent, Jeanine Ogbonnaya of The Clearview Group, says her job isn’t just to manage deals. It’s to protect a legacy.
“I know what we have is so special,”Ogbonnaya told ESPN. “My goal is to build a brand for her that can withstand well past her playing days. If I’ve done that, my job is done right.”
Building the “AR” Empire
Reese’s rise has been about ownership: Her image, her message, and even her clapbacks. After online trolls mocked her for rebounding her own shot, she trademarked the word “Mebound” and turned it into a merch line. The profits went to the Angel C. Reese Foundation, which helps fight cyberbullying. That move wasn’t accidental. Ogbonnaya and Reese are crafting something that goes beyond endorsements, they’re creating intellectual property.
Reese has also extended her influence through her show “Unapologetically Angel” and her partnership with Reebok, where she became the face of the brand’s basketball revival. “A lot of companies wanted me,” she said. “But I chose Reebok because they didn’t have a woman basketball player as a face. I wanted to be that.”
The upcoming Reebok Angel Reese 1, launching in 2026, echoes the Air Jordan model – a bold athlete transforming a company’s culture. When Michael Jordan joined Nike in the ’80s, the brand was struggling. His partnership redefined it. Reebok and Reese are following that same script, blending rebellion with business savvy.
Owning the Narrative On and Off the Court
Ogbonnaya’s approach mirrors that of top-tier entertainment agencies: protect the brand at all costs. When Reese faced waves of online criticism, Ogbonnaya went public, posting, “When the hate don’t work, they start telling lies.” She’s not just managing Reese, she’s shielding her.
Reese’s foundation, media ventures, and merchandise lines are all designed to sustain her long after basketball. “We’re not just partnering with brands,” Ogbonnaya said. “We’re building them.”
And it’s working. The first drop of “Mebounds” merch earned six figures, and the Reebok Angel Reese 1 sold out within minutes, according to Sportico. While other WNBA players are still fighting for pay equity – Reese herself has been outspoken about it – she’s already rewriting the playbook.
As the league grows, so does her influence. Angel Reese isn’t just part of the WNBA’s new era, she’s helping define what comes next.
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