Angel Reese’s $1400 Joke Explodes Online as Fans Question Why WNBA Stars Are Still Paid Like Average Americans

Angel Reese has never been one to hold back — on or off the court. But a single offhand comment about her paycheck has now sparked a viral conversation and reignited a fiery debate about how little WNBA players are paid, even as the league continues to grow in popularity and attention.

During a recent livestream, the Chicago Sky rookie joked that her WNBA game check was “just $1,400,” laughing as she compared it to what her fans assumed she might be earning. The moment was casual, funny, and very on-brand for the unapologetically candid Reese — but it didn’t take long before the internet turned it into something much bigger.

“That’s It?”: The Internet Reacts

Clips of the moment spread like wildfire on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Fans and critics alike couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

One viral comment summed it up:
“You’re telling me Angel Reese — one of the most marketable rookies in women’s basketball — is pulling $1400 per game? That’s less than some Uber drivers on a good weekend.”

Another user wrote:
“She brings in millions of views, sells jerseys, fills seats… and still makes less than a practice squad player in the NFL.”

Even non-basketball fans chimed in, shocked that athletes at the highest level of professional women’s sports could earn so little compared to their male counterparts.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The WNBA’s current pay structure has long been a point of frustration. Rookie contracts typically range from $64,000 to $76,000 for first-year players, depending on draft position. That averages out to about $1,400 to $2,000 per game, before taxes and other deductions.

Compare that to the NBA, where the minimum salary for a rookie is over $1.1 million per year — roughly $13,000 per game — and the wage gap becomes impossible to ignore.

Despite recent efforts to increase player compensation, including performance bonuses and marketing deals under the WNBA’s 2020 collective bargaining agreement, most WNBA salaries still fall far below the six-figure mark.

And for athletes like Reese, who entered the league with a massive college following and national fame, the sticker shock of her first professional paycheck has been more than a little jarring — for both her and her fans.

Angel Reese Knows Her Worth

To her credit, Reese handled the moment with her trademark humor and confidence, even posting afterward:
“Don’t worry, I’m still rich off NIL.”

It’s true — thanks to her lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals from her LSU days, Reese entered the WNBA as one of the highest-paid athletes off the court, with endorsement partnerships from brands like Reebok, Amazon, Beats by Dre, and Coach.

But the fact that someone with her level of fame and marketability still earns so little from her actual basketball performance has many calling for immediate change.

The Bigger Picture: Why the Pay Gap Still Exists

Many fans wonder how this disparity can still exist in 2025, especially with record-breaking attendance, soaring jersey sales, and prime-time TV coverage becoming more common in the WNBA.

The answer is complex. For decades, the WNBA has struggled with limited revenue streams, smaller media rights deals, and less overall investment compared to men’s leagues. But with players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and others drawing massive audiences, that’s beginning to change — and fast.

Still, as of now, WNBA players rely heavily on overseas contracts, endorsements, and offseason gigs to supplement their income.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for top-tier players to spend their winters in Europe or Asia, earning three to five times their WNBA salary during the offseason — a practice that has raised concerns about injuries, burnout, and long-term sustainability.

What the League Is Saying

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has acknowledged the issue and emphasized the league’s efforts to close the gap, including the recently launched charter flight program and increased media exposure.

“We’re making progress, but it’s not an overnight fix,” Engelbert said at a recent press conference. “As the league grows, as viewership grows, and as we bring in more sponsors and media dollars, we’ll be able to reinvest more into player salaries.”

But many fans and players feel the time for patience is over. Angel Reese’s joke — even if made in good spirits — has now become a rallying cry.

The Future: Will Change Come Fast Enough?

As WNBA popularity skyrockets, particularly among Gen Z audiences and younger sports fans, pressure is mounting for real economic change.

Stars like Reese, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, and A’ja Wilson are not just athletes — they’re cultural icons with national influence. Their performances are selling out arenas, trending online, and drawing more attention to the league than ever before.

The question now is whether the business side of the WNBA can keep up — and start treating its stars like the professionals they are.

In the meantime, Reese continues to shine on the court and win fans with her honesty off it.

“It’s not about just me,” she said in a follow-up post. “It’s about what we all deserve. The work we put in. The value we bring. It’s time people started recognizing that.”

The joke may have started with laughter.
But the conversation it sparked?
That’s dead serious.