Angel Reese has just ignited one of the biggest conversations in sports this year. In a bold and passionate statement, the rising WNBA star called for female basketball players to receive salaries on par with their NBA counterparts — a demand that’s drawing both widespread praise and fierce backlash.

“Female players should receive salaries comparable to NBA stars,” Reese said during a media appearance after practice. “We work just as hard. We play just as hard. The time for excuses is over.”

Her words immediately lit up the sports world. Within minutes, the quote was trending on social media platforms like X and Instagram. Fans, athletes, journalists, and even politicians have jumped into the conversation, fueling a nationwide debate on gender pay equity in professional sports.

Reese, who was recently drafted into the WNBA and has become one of the league’s most marketable young stars, says her message is about fairness and future growth.

“I’m not saying I need LeBron money tomorrow,” she added. “But what we’re getting right now? It’s nowhere near enough for what we bring to the table.”

Currently, the average WNBA salary sits far below the NBA’s, with top players earning just a fraction of their male counterparts. While NBA stars can rake in tens of millions annually, WNBA players often earn under $250,000 — many playing overseas during the offseason just to supplement income.

Reese’s remarks have shone a renewed spotlight on that disparity.

Supporters of her statement point to the growing popularity of women’s basketball. The 2024 WNBA season has seen record-breaking attendance, higher television ratings, and a massive surge in merchandise sales — much of it driven by high-profile rookies like Reese and Caitlin Clark.

“She’s absolutely right,” one fan wrote online. “If the league is growing and the stars are filling arenas, then where’s the money going?”

Others, however, argue that equal pay should be based on revenue generation. Critics say the NBA brings in billions, while the WNBA is still in its expansion phase.

One sports economist noted, “This isn’t just about fairness — it’s about economics. But if growth continues at this pace, we’ll have to rethink the model.”

Still, Angel Reese isn’t backing down.

“I’m using my voice because I know younger girls are watching. I want them to grow up in a world where they don’t have to fight for respect, for pay, or for visibility,” she said.

Her comments have also inspired other WNBA players to speak up. Teammates and veterans across the league are now sharing their own frustrations about pay, travel conditions, and overall investment in the women’s game.

WNBA officials have yet to issue an official response to Reese’s statement, though Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently acknowledged that “continued progress” in media deals and partnerships could soon allow for higher salaries.

Reese’s statement also comes as the WNBA negotiates future television contracts — a major source of revenue. Many believe Reese’s growing fame and boldness could help shift public perception and push the league toward a new era of investment and equity.

Some sports journalists are already calling this moment a turning point.

“She’s young, she’s fearless, and she knows her value,” said one analyst. “That’s a powerful combination. Angel Reese may have just started a movement.”

Whether change will come soon or slowly remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Angel Reese is not afraid to challenge the status quo — and the sports world is listening.

As the debate rages on, fans and fellow athletes are watching closely. And as Reese herself put it: “This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about respect.”