The WNBA has long battled for bigger salaries and more recognition, but one of its brightest young stars just exposed a reality that’s left fans stunned. Angel Reese, the rising basketball phenom and Rookie of the Year contender, set social media ablaze this week after admitting that her Instagram modeling gigs pay her “way better” than her WNBA salary — and the internet has not stopped talking about it since.

The revelation came during a recent interview when Reese, known as the “Bayou Barbie” for her on-court flair and off-court style, was asked about how she balances basketball with her growing brand as a fashion icon and influencer. Her answer was brutally honest — and raised uncomfortable questions about the state of women’s sports.

“I love basketball. It’s my passion, and I’ll always give my all to the game,” Reese said. “But the truth is, I make more money modeling and doing brand deals on Instagram than I do playing in the WNBA. Way more. That’s just the reality right now.”

That reality has reignited a fiery debate across the sports world. The average rookie salary in the WNBA hovers around $70,000 to $75,000 per season — a figure that pales in comparison to the multi-million-dollar deals enjoyed by NBA rookies. Meanwhile, top influencers on Instagram can earn tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per post. For an athlete like Reese, whose social media following has skyrocketed since her college days at LSU, that kind of opportunity is simply too big to ignore.

“It’s not even close,” one sports marketing executive told Sports Illustrated. “Someone like Angel Reese, with her reach, style, and influence, can make in one Instagram campaign what she earns in an entire WNBA season. And brands are lining up to work with her.”

Fans immediately flooded social media with mixed reactions. Some applauded Reese for her honesty and business savvy, arguing that she’s simply maximizing her value in a system that still undervalues women athletes. Others, however, criticized the league and its leadership for failing to provide players with financial security that reflects their talent and impact.

“This isn’t Angel’s fault — it’s the system’s,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “If the WNBA paid their stars what they’re worth, they wouldn’t have to rely on Instagram to make a living.”

Another fan was more blunt: “If Instagram modeling pays more than being one of the best in the league, that says everything you need to know about how broken the pay structure is.”

Reese’s comments come amid a broader conversation about the financial realities of women’s basketball. While the WNBA has seen record-breaking ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales this season — thanks in part to rookie sensations like Reese and Caitlin Clark — player salaries remain low by professional sports standards. Even the league’s top stars earn a maximum base salary of around $250,000, forcing many to play overseas during the offseason or seek alternative income streams through endorsements and social media.

Reese, however, is part of a new generation of players rewriting the rules. She has turned her magnetic personality and massive following into a business empire, signing lucrative deals with brands like Reebok, Amazon, and Beats by Dre. Combined with her basketball salary, Reese is now among the highest-earning women’s athletes in the world — a fact she attributes not to the league, but to her own hustle.

“It’s about knowing your worth and building your brand,” she explained. “Basketball is my foundation, but I’m not going to limit myself. If I can change the game on the court and off it, why wouldn’t I?”

Her stance has sparked a larger debate about the future of women’s sports and how leagues like the WNBA must evolve to retain their brightest stars. Critics argue that if players like Reese and Clark can make significantly more money outside the game, the league risks losing its top talent or watching them prioritize off-court opportunities over basketball.

Some insiders believe Reese’s comments could even put pressure on the WNBA to revisit its revenue-sharing model and player compensation policies. “This is a wake-up call,” said one veteran agent. “If the league wants to keep stars like Angel focused on the court, they need to make playing in the WNBA more financially rewarding. Period.”

For now, Angel Reese shows no signs of slowing down — on or off the court. Her rookie season has already cemented her as one of the league’s most marketable figures, and her influence continues to grow far beyond basketball. As she balances slam dunks with photoshoots, she’s also redefining what it means to be a modern athlete in the social media era.

And while her admission about Instagram earnings may have shocked fans, Reese sees it as a reflection of the times. “This is 2025,” she said. “Athletes aren’t just athletes anymore. We’re brands, we’re entrepreneurs, and we have power. I’m just using mine.”