Angel Reese has heard it all before. The LeBron James comparisons? Not new. The backlash every time she speaks up about money, fairness, or visibility in the WNBA? Also, not new. But during a recent episode of her podcast Unapologetically Angel, Reese showed exactly how she feels about it now—by laughing.

Not in a disrespectful way, but in a way that said, Really? We’re still stuck on this? Because while the internet continues to stack her next to LeBron, Reese has moved the conversation forward. She’s not chasing comparisons—she’s demanding results. And this time, she had plenty to say about why the best players in the WNBA deserve better pay, more respect, and real investment.

In her sit-down with Chrisean Rock, Reese brought the energy and the honesty. The LeBron talk sparked a smile, but it quickly turned into a bigger moment. She used it to highlight the massive gap between how women’s sports are perceived and how they’re paid—even when they’re doing the same heavy lifting.

Folks keep putting her name next to LeBron’s because she’s got that same kind of magic—pulling in fans, lighting up social media, and making basketball about more than just the game. In her 2024 rookie season, she averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds a game for the Chicago Sky, but it’s her vibe off the court that’s got people talking. Still, while LeBron’s cashing checks for over $50 million this year in the NBA, Reese is working with a $74,909 WNBA salary in 2025.

That gap? It’s why she’s laughing—not at LeBron, but at how the system’s playing her and her peers.

“Like, cuz you’re doing exactly what LeBron is doing… so what’s the difference?” she asked.

That wasn’t a shot at LeBron. It was a challenge to the system. Reese knows she’s bringing the heat—on the court and off it. With over 10 million followers across social media in 2025, she’s got endorsement deals with Reebok, Beats by Dre, and Hershey’s reportedly pulling in over $1.5 million last year. That’s more than 20 times her WNBA paycheck. Sound familiar? LeBron’s built an empire off his fame, too. But Reese isn’t just cashing in—she’s using that spotlight to say the WNBA’s gotta start valuing its stars for real.

The buzz, talent, cultural relevance, she’s not afraid to remind folks that those things should have value. Real value. But the money? It’s not there yet. “I ain’t got the money for us just yet—but it’s coming,” she said with conviction.

For Reese, this isn’t just personal. She made it clear she’s speaking for the collective. As someone who understands the power of her platform, she’s choosing to use it to advocate for the entire league.

“I’mma speak on what’s for the majority,” she said. “Even if it’s not me right now… the best players deserve the money.”

She’s not asking for NBA-level salaries. She’s asking for the WNBA to stop undervaluing its stars—especially when those stars are drawing fans, media attention, and endorsement deals like never before. This isn’t the first time she’s sparked headlines just by being honest.

On another episode of her podcast, Reese mentioned talk of a possible player strike if negotiations around the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement don’t go in the players’ favor. She wasn’t threatening anything—just relaying what she’d heard. Still, the media ran wild with it.

“I said, ‘I’m hearing if they don’t give us what we want, we sitting out,’ and that’s the truth,” she later clarified.

The truth has been a consistent theme for Reese—especially when it comes to what her WNBA paycheck actually looks like. She’s previously admitted that her salary doesn’t even cover a single bill. And if one of the most famous faces in the league is still juggling off-court income to get by, what does that say about how the system values its talent?

Critics were quick to twist her words, labeling her ungrateful. But for Reese, it’s never been about entitlement—it’s about reality. She’s not pretending the league has the same revenue as the NBA. She’s not just talking about change. The  Chicago Sky star is becoming part of it. And if her influence keeps growing like this, she won’t just contribute to the WNBA—she’ll help reshape it.

Angel Reese Is Pushing the WNBA Closer to a Pay Revolution

Angel Reese isn’t just hooping. She’s pushing the WNBA to have a real conversation about money.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. The league’s collective bargaining agreement is up for renegotiation. And there’s a $200 million-per-year media deal about to kick in next season.

Players are speaking up. Reese is one of the loudest voices. Last year, rookie contracts got major attention. Fans couldn’t believe Reese and Caitlin Clark would earn base salaries between $72,000 and $78,000. That shocked people. Especially knowing how much value these players bring.

Paige Bueckers, one of the most marketable names in college hoops, is expected to go No. 1 in the draft. But her base salary won’t be much different. Still, change is coming. That new media deal could unlock real money. And players want their fair share.

Napheesa Collier, vice president of the WNBA players union, put it plainly: “We get such a small percentage of revenue share right now that affects our salary.” She added, “We’re asking for a bigger cut of that, like more equitable to what the men’s revenue share is.”

She’s right. The NBA rakes in more than $10 billion a year. It just signed a $76 billion media deal. The WNBA’s current deal? It’s a big step up, but still just $200 million a year compared to the NBA’s billions. $60 million a year.

That’s a huge gap. But the players aren’t asking to close it overnight. They just want a slice that matches the value they bring. Angel Reese has made it clear. This isn’t just about her paycheck. It’s about building something better.

Some have hinted at a lockout if the new CBA doesn’t reflect progress. Players are watching closely. So are fans. And new leagues like Unrivaled are already offering big paydays.

Reese got a taste of that after playing for Rose BC in Unrivaled’s first season. She walked away with a $50,000 bonus—more than half her WNBA salary—just for winning. Unrivaled’s average pay of $220,000 is already close to the WNBA’s max salary of about $245,000. When Reese called that bonus a “NEED” online, it wasn’t just about the cash—it was her way of showing what’s possible if the WNBA steps up.

That alone is a signal. Angel Reese is part of this shift. She’s using her platform. She’s not afraid to challenge the system.

She’s fighting for more than herself. She’s fighting for the future of the league. And if the WNBA listens—really listens—this could be the beginning of something big.