Angel Reese’s Career in Jeopardy as Viewership Plummets Amid WNBA Struggles

June 16, 2025 | Las Vegas, USA

The WNBA is facing a pivotal moment. While the 2025 season has introduced an influx of young talent, rising stars, and cultural visibility, troubling signs have emerged—declining ratings, sluggish ticket sales, and controversy around the league’s most polarizing new face: Angel Reese.

Once celebrated as a beacon of Gen Z energy and social media influence, Reese’s rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces has taken a dramatic turn. Now, questions loom over her future in the league, and whether the WNBA is properly positioned to manage both the highs and the heat she brings.

📉 A Season Marred by Viewership Decline

While expectations for this WNBA season were sky-high—buoyed by the arrival of top prospects like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink—reality has painted a more complex picture.

National broadcast ratings are down by 12% compared to the same point in 2024, according to Nielsen data.
Attendance at several arenas, including Las Vegas and Atlanta, has been inconsistent.
Online engagement has been polarizing, with conversations driven more by drama than basketball.

Much of this turbulence has found a focal point in Angel Reese, a player whose visibility far exceeds her box score but whose performance hasn’t always silenced critics.

👀 Angel Reese: From “Bayou Barbie” to Target of Criticism

Reese entered the WNBA as one of the most hyped rookies in league history. Her college career at LSU was explosive—marked by bold confidence, viral gestures, and an unapologetic personality that made her both beloved and criticized.

But in the WNBA, that same personality has become a lightning rod:

Her stats have fluctuated: averaging 11.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.3 turnovers per game.
Her shooting efficiency has drawn concern, with a field goal percentage hovering below 41%.
Off the court, clashes with media, bold social media statements, and on-court altercations have drawn headlines for the wrong reasons.

Critics argue her brand-first approach is damaging team cohesion and distracting from performance. Others believe she’s being unfairly targeted for speaking her truth and refusing to conform to outdated expectations of how a female athlete should act.

🎤 What the League and Insiders Are Saying

Multiple league executives, speaking anonymously to major outlets, have voiced concern that Reese’s visibility has outpaced her readiness to be a league centerpiece:

“She’s marketable, no doubt. But is she ready to lead a team night after night? Not yet.”
— Anonymous team executive (via The Athletic)

However, others see her as exactly what the WNBA needs — raw, real, and reflective of a new generation.

Las Vegas Aces head coach [Coach Name] defended Reese in a recent interview:

“She’s young. She’s learning. She’s being asked to carry a spotlight most veterans never face. That takes time.”

📱 The Social Media Factor

Reese boasts over 4 million followers across platforms and has multiple endorsement deals — from athletic apparel to energy drinks. But her online persona has created tension with older fans and league stakeholders who prefer the “team-first” narratives of previous eras.

A recent Twitter trend—#BenchReese—sparked debate after a string of low-impact games. But just as quickly, her supporters launched counter-trends like #ProtectAngel and #SheBringsSeats, highlighting her ability to drive viewership and ticket sales.

🤔 Is Her Career Really in Jeopardy?

“Jeopardy” may sound dramatic — but in professional sports, perception shapes opportunity. If Reese cannot find balance between performance, persona, and professionalism, she risks being sidelined in favor of more consistent (if less flashy) talent.

That said, her upside remains immense:

She’s only 22.
Her rebounding ability and defensive potential are elite.
She remains one of the most marketable faces in women’s sports.

The challenge lies in growth: Can she evolve her game while maintaining her identity? Can the WNBA harness her star power without letting controversy overshadow competition?

🏀 What Comes Next?

As the Aces battle for playoff position, Reese faces a career-defining stretch. Whether she answers the critics with hustle, leadership, and maturity—or fades under the spotlight—will determine how the next chapter is written.

Her upcoming matchups against fellow rookie stars like Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink will not only be televised battles, but narrative showdowns. For Reese, every possession now counts — not just on the scoreboard, but in the story being written around her.

🎥 Watch:

Angel Reese’s Latest Post-Game Interview: “I’m Built for This”
Full Highlights: Angel Reese vs. Seattle Storm | June 15

🔗 Related Articles:

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the Gen Z Takeover of the WNBA
The Double Standard Facing Outspoken Female Athletes
WNBA Viewership Report 2025: Where Things Stand
Las Vegas Aces Mid-Season Report: Chemistry & Concerns

📝 Conclusion

Angel Reese is at a crossroads — between influence and impact, hype and results. Whether she emerges as a long-term star or a cautionary tale will depend not only on how she plays, but how she adapts.

What is clear: the league is watching. The fans are talking. And Angel Reese is still writing her story.