There already has been a lot of discussion regarding the WNBA salaries. And most, if not all, players believe that the paychecks aren’t as lucrative as they should be. For the same, stars even look to leave their country, so that they can make a living in the off-season. However, when Angel Reese decided to share an incident highlighting the same, she was met with disdain from a certain ESPN analyst.

On Friday’s episode of The Elle Duncan Show, Holly Rowe shared her take on Reese’s claims and pointed out why the Chi-Town Barbie should pay gratitude to the league.

“Right number one. I… I have two visceral reactions. My first visceral reaction is the platform is helping you pay your bills. Yes? So stop complaining about the platform. The WNBA is great you’re getting a lot of viewership. You’re getting a lot of runoff of being a WNBA star right now. So… so maybe respect the platform that you’ve been given. I think that’s important, but she’s not wrong that salaries have to go up and they will in this next collective bargaining agreement. They have the opportunity to opt out of their collective bargaining agreement next year,” Rowe stated.

Reese was drafted as the seventh overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft. She has a four-year $324,383 contract with the Chicago Sky. During her first year, she earned $73,439 and it will gradually increase over the next four years, ending at $93,636 by 2027. Meanwhile, the first overall pick in the NBA gets to ink a deal worth $57 million over four years, making $12.6 million during the rookie season. Therefore, Reese surely seems to be at an advantage that she can change in the CBA.

“And ask for a higher salary cap, and demand more. You know the WNBA keeps adding games next year. They’ll play 44 games and guess who doesn’t get paid a dollar more? The players. So that is on the players to collectively bargain and change that. I do think it’s important for Angel… I like that she’s transparent. I listen to her podcast. It’s phenomenal by the way. Unapologetically Angel. If you haven’t listened to it… it is… it is fantastic but I also think it’s important to respect what a lot of women have done before you and respect the platform because if you’re not playing in the WNBA, you’re not getting all these other deals, probably. So I… I’d love for the young generation to be respectful but also continue to grow their brand. I think there’s a way to do both,” Rowe continued.

The CBA as of now gives 9.3% of the league’s revenue to its players, who can opt out of the agreement by November 1. They can demand increased salaries as the league now has a deal with Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC for around $200 million a year. Thus, the money can trickle down to the W stars, and hence according to Rowe that would be the perfect place for Reese to express her problems. However, the Chi-Town Barbie instead opted to do it on Instagram Live.

Angel Reese shares her issue with WNBA salary

According to a largely circulated clip, Reese came to Instagram Live a few days ago and revealed that her apartment rent in Chicago is $8K. Born in Maryland, Reese had to change her location once she was drafted by the Sky. However, Reese’s salary of $73,439 doesn’t look sufficient to support her new apartment.

“I just hope y’all know the WNBA doesn’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. I’m living beyond my means like y’all think. I don’t even know my salary for the WNBA,” Reese stated. However, she might not be having financial issues since she has deals with Beats by Dre, Reebok, and Raising Cane’s among others worth $1.8m.

Therefore, as Rowe has directed, a better place to vent out her salary issues might be during the discussions of the CBA. As of now, Reese can enjoy her off-season and shoot endorsements for brands to get more money.