Angel Reese Takes Aim at WNBA Salary Following Unrivaled Championship

Newsweek - Mar 19th, 2025

WNBA star Angel Reese, center for the Chicago Sky, has sparked a discussion on the disparity in WNBA salaries following her team's championship win. After her team, The Rose Basketball Club, defeated the Vinyl 62-54, Reese and her teammates received a $50,000 bonus. Despite her excitement, Reese took to the platform X to highlight the stark contrast between her rookie contract and the bonus, stating that the $50,000 was more than half of her contract's worth. Reese's comments underscore ongoing concerns about income inequality in professional sports, particularly between the WNBA and the NBA.

The WNBA generates approximately $60 million in annual revenue compared to the NBA's $7.92 billion, a disparity that translates into significant differences in player salaries. While the average WNBA salary hovers around $150,000, some players earn as little as $56,000, in stark contrast to the NBA's average salary of $10 million. Reese's remarks, along with those of Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington, have fueled speculation about a potential lockout as the WNBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations loom. Reese and Carrington have expressed a willingness to sit out if their demands are not met, signaling a growing momentum for change in the league.

Wnba Angel Reese Chicago Sky Wnba Salary Nba Vs Wnba Revenue Disparity Cba Negotiations Di Jonai Carrington

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights Angel Reese's comments on WNBA salaries and the broader issue of pay disparities between the WNBA and NBA. It is timely and addresses a topic of significant public interest, particularly in the context of gender pay equity. The article is clear and engaging, making it accessible to a wide audience. However, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including viewpoints from WNBA officials or financial analysts. The reliance on Reese's social media posts as primary sources limits the article's credibility, as it lacks authoritative sources to substantiate financial claims. Overall, the article successfully raises awareness of important issues but could have a greater impact with more comprehensive sourcing and perspective diversity.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports Angel Reese's comments on WNBA salaries and her excitement over the $50,000 bonus from winning the Unrivaled championship. However, there is a factual inaccuracy regarding Reese's position, as she is a forward, not a center. The story correctly highlights the disparity in salaries between the WNBA and NBA, citing the average salaries and revenue differences, which are consistent with documented figures. The mention of potential CBA negotiations and lockout threats by Reese and Carrington aligns with publicly available information on WNBA discussions.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Angel Reese's perspective on WNBA salaries and her comments on social media. While it presents a clear viewpoint on the salary disparities, it lacks a broader range of perspectives, such as those from WNBA officials or other players who might have differing opinions. The article could benefit from including commentary from league representatives or financial analysts to provide a more balanced view of the economic realities faced by the WNBA.

Clarity

The article is written in a clear and straightforward manner, making it easy for readers to follow Reese's comments and the discussion on WNBA salaries. The structure logically flows from Reese's championship win to her comments on social media and the broader salary discussion. The language is neutral and accessible, effectively conveying the main points without unnecessary jargon or complexity.

Source quality

The article references direct quotes from Angel Reese's social media posts, which are primary sources for her opinions. However, it does not cite any authoritative sources or experts to substantiate claims about WNBA and NBA salaries or revenue figures. The lack of diverse and authoritative sources limits the reliability of the information presented, as it relies heavily on Reese's statements without external validation.

Transparency

The article provides clear context for Reese's comments by referencing her social media activity and recent championship win. However, it lacks transparency in terms of explaining how salary figures and revenue disparities are calculated or sourced. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or methodology behind the financial claims, which could help readers understand the basis of the article's assertions.