Angel Reese has been no stranger to salary talk, especially since she made it clear a while back that her WNBA paycheck doesn’t even cover her rent. The Chicago Sky’s star forward has been active not just on the court but also in conversations about pay in women’s sports. And now, as she gears up to join Unrivaled, the question that everyone’s asking is: how much is she now going to make? 

Reese is projected to earn $250,000 for the 8-week season. With that, she’s also set to get a slice of equity in the league. The fact that she’s not just getting a big salary but also some skin in the game says a lot about how Unrivaled is looking to reshape the pay of women’s sports. 

The Sky Star’s current contract with the Chicago Sky is for four years, worth $324,383, which averages out to about $81,096 annually. That’s decent, but there are plenty of athletes in both men’s and women’s sports who will tell you that endorsements play a major role in making their living rather than salary.

Angel’s social media following is massive, and those brand deals add up. Just for context, before even stepping into the W, she made $1.8 million in NIL deals in her senior year. However, Unrivaled is giving Angel a far more significant payout for a much shorter commitment.

It’s all been possible as the new league, led by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, was created to change the game when it comes to paying women athletes what they’re truly worth and give them better opportunities. Phee has been vocal about why this league is necessary and why it pays its players much more than the typical women’s sports leagues. 

In an interview, Collier said, “The principle of our league is that it’s the top talent, and women need to be paid accordingly. We need to be treated as professionals, and so that was a huge thing, is making sure that this is transformative.” So, what are we looking at with the pay structure in Unrivaled? 

The league always promised a minimum six-figure salary, which is already a huge deal compared to other women’s sports leagues. The total salary payout for the league’s first season is estimated to be around $3 million. And the minimum salary is likely going to be much higher than the $100,000 mark. 

When you compare Unrivaled’s pay to other leagues, it’s pretty clear that this is a major step forward. For example, in the WNBA, salaries for 2024 range from $64,154 to $241,984, with an average of about $122,000. Athletes Unlimited’s basketball league, which is another women’s sports league, pays an average of $20,000 for a five-week season.

And let’s not even get started on the NWSL, where the minimum salary is $37,856. When you add up all these numbers, Unrivaled’s six-figure minimum looks pretty appealing.

But, it’s not just about the impressive numbers. Besides the paycheck, Angel Reese is set to earn a lot more out of this 3*3 league still.

What else will Angel Reese earn from the Unrivaled League? It’s not just about the paycheck

Sure, the $250,000 salary is sweet, but the Chi-Town Barbie got some serious benefits coming her way. In a recent interview with WAE, she opened up about what this league means for her and her fellow players. 

“For one, I’m staying in the States, I don’t have to go overseas,” Reese said, clearly relieved. “I’m making six figures, I’m living in Miami during my off-season.” But it’s more than just the perks of off-season living. The double-double queen is excited about the opportunity to get better and challenge herself. 

“I’m playing 34 of some of the best WNBA players, being able to get better. Some of the best coaches, we got T-Spoon, we got Phil, we’ve got a lot of great coaches there. I’m excited to really dial in and get better.” The W star also knows this is a huge chance to learn from the best.

“Obviously the games are going to be cool and fun, but I just want to learn from the vets and stuff,” she added. For someone as competitive as Angel, this is the kind of experience that could elevate her game even further. 

Last season, she set a new WNBA record for the longest season streak of double-doubles by a rookie, posting averages of 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds. So, as we look forward to the Unrivaled League tipping off on January 17, we can’t wait to see what’s next for this rising star in the league’s Rose Club!