“I Can’t Even Pay My Bills” — Angel Reese Exposes the Harsh Financial Reality of WNBA Life as Players Protest Pay Gap at All-Star Game

The 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas was supposed to be a celebration of elite talent, dazzling skill, and the ever-growing presence of women’s basketball. But this year, the spotlight was yanked from center court and shone harshly on a deeper issue—one that has long haunted the sport’s women: money, or the lack thereof.

The face of this reality check? None other than Angel Reese, the charismatic Chicago Sky forward who has become one of the league’s most recognizable figures, both for her play and her unapologetic voice. In a moment that quickly went viral, Reese stunned fans and media alike by admitting during a press conference that her $73,000 annual salary from the WNBA doesn’t even allow her to cover her basic living expenses.

“I’m not gonna lie to y’all—I can’t even pay my bills on that,” Reese said, shaking her head. “I have to rely on endorsements and side deals just to stay afloat.”

It was a bombshell revelation, not because it was new—many players have hinted at it before—but because it came from someone so popular, so visible, and so recently celebrated. Reese is not a benchwarmer or a fringe player. She’s a 2023 NCAA champion, a WNBA rookie star, and a massive social media influencer with millions of followers. If she is struggling to make ends meet, what about the rest?

A League Built on Passion, Not Pay

The WNBA has come a long way since its inception in 1996. With more television deals, increased social media engagement, and rising attendance numbers, women’s basketball is undeniably growing. Yet, the economic model of the league remains far behind its male counterpart, the NBA.

While the average NBA player earns over $9 million per year, the average WNBA player’s salary hovers around $113,000—with rookies like Angel Reese making significantly less, especially in their first season. Top superstars like A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart can command salaries around $250,000, but these are rare exceptions.

And it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the expectations. WNBA players travel frequently, practice rigorously, commit to year-round training, and serve as public ambassadors for their sport. Yet many of them take second jobs, play overseas during the off-season, or rely heavily on sponsorships to stay financially solvent.

“It’s exhausting,” said a veteran player who asked to remain anonymous. “We pour everything into this game, but sometimes it feels like the game doesn’t pour back into us.”

Angel Reese’s Statement Strikes a Nerve

Angel Reese’s candid comments were not just a personal reflection—they were a rallying cry. In the days following her statement, dozens of players took to social media to echo her sentiment. The hashtag #PayWNBAPlayers began trending on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Former players, coaches, and even celebrities joined the conversation.

“I had to work two jobs while chasing a championship,” wrote one former WNBA player in a viral post. “Glad someone like Angel finally said it out loud.”

Reese’s words also served as a catalyst for a quiet but powerful protest that emerged during the All-Star Game itself. Several players wore custom T-shirts during warmups emblazoned with messages like:

“Pay Us What We Deserve”
“Still Fighting, Still Playing”
“We Are Not Charity”

These weren’t empty slogans. They were part of a coordinated statement, organized privately by a group of players determined to force the league and its partners to confront the glaring pay inequities.

A Systemic Issue with Deep Roots

So why are WNBA players still being paid so little? The answer lies in a complicated mix of history, perception, and power.

The WNBA generates a fraction of the revenue the NBA does, largely due to lower ticket prices, smaller TV deals, and historically less aggressive marketing. But critics argue that this is a self-perpetuating cycle. Less investment leads to less exposure, which leads to fewer fans and smaller returns.

“You can’t expect growth without investment,” said sports economist Dr. Valerie Kim. “If networks under-promote women’s sports and teams aren’t marketed effectively, then of course revenue will lag. But that doesn’t mean the product is inferior—it means it’s underserved.”

Many WNBA players, like Reese, understand this and are pushing for more transparency about revenue-sharing and league profits. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) allows players to receive up to 50% of league revenue—but only if certain revenue targets are met. Players argue that they are kept in the dark about whether these thresholds are actually being reached.

The Mental Toll of Financial Instability

Beyond dollars and cents, there’s a very human cost to being underpaid: stress, anxiety, burnout. Angel Reese didn’t just talk about money—she talked about what it’s like to live in a constant state of financial uncertainty while being expected to perform at the highest level.

“It’s hard to focus on hoops when you’re wondering how you’re going to pay your rent,” she admitted. “People look at us like we’re celebrities, but most of us are just grinding.”

Her words echo the reality of many players who live modestly, drive used cars, and share apartments to make ends meet. Some players have spoken out about taking public transportation, skipping medical treatments, or foregoing personal trainers during the off-season due to cost.

Mental health professionals warn that this kind of financial strain can have significant psychological effects.

“Chronic financial stress is a known trigger for depression and anxiety,” said Dr. Lauren James, a psychologist who works with athletes. “Combine that with the pressure to perform and public scrutiny, and it’s a recipe for emotional exhaustion.”

Fans Are Listening—and Taking Action

Surprisingly, it wasn’t just fellow players who responded to Reese’s honesty. Fans showed up, too. In the week following the All-Star Game, several fan-led crowdfunding campaigns were launched to raise money for WNBA players. One GoFundMe page titled “Support WNBA Stars Who Deserve Better” reached $100,000 in less than 48 hours.

Merchandise companies began releasing “Pay the Players” T-shirts and hoodies, pledging to donate proceeds directly to WNBA players’ unions and mental health resources. Even some NBA players—including LeBron James and Damian Lillard—voiced their support, urging fans to keep the pressure on league executives.

“If you love the game, support the players. Period,” LeBron posted on X.

Will the WNBA Listen?

The league has yet to issue a formal response to the protest or Angel Reese’s comments. But according to insiders, conversations are already happening behind the scenes. A source within the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) confirmed that a new push for updated salary negotiations may be coming sooner than expected.

The league has made progress in recent years, increasing base salaries, offering better maternity leave, and improving travel conditions. But players insist it’s not enough—and they’re tired of being patient.

“We’re not asking for NBA money,” said Angel Reese in a follow-up interview. “We’re asking for fairness. For respect. For enough to live on.”

A Defining Moment for the WNBA

The events of the 2025 All-Star weekend could very well become a turning point in the WNBA’s history. Just as Billie Jean King led a revolution for pay equity in tennis, Angel Reese may have become the unexpected face of a modern movement in basketball.

She didn’t throw a chair. She didn’t storm out of a game. She simply told the truth—and sometimes, that’s all it takes.

“People see the glam, the games, the highlights,” Reese said. “But they don’t see the grind behind it. And we’re done pretending everything is fine.”

The WNBA now faces a choice. It can dismiss this moment as temporary unrest—or it can rise to meet the challenge and redefine what it means to truly support women in sport.

Until then, Angel Reese—and the many women beside her—will keep playing, keep speaking, and keep demanding what they’ve earned: not just applause, but equality.