HOT NEWS: Angel Reese Threatens to RETIRE Over WNBA Pay, Caitlin Clark Responds
The WNBA was rocked this weekend as Angel Reese, one of the league’s most electrifying young talents, made a dramatic and emotional statement following a post-game press conference—threatening to walk away from professional basketball if the league does not address what she called the “systemic undervaluing” of women athletes.
Reese, the LSU icon and recent high-profile WNBA draft pick, did not mince words. “We give everything to this game. We bring in fans, we bring in numbers, and we bring in passion,” she said. “But what we don’t get is the pay, the respect, or the recognition we’ve earned. And I’m not sure I can keep playing under those conditions.”
The 22-year-old forward’s comments immediately ignited fierce debate across sports media and social platforms, bringing renewed attention to the long-standing pay gap between the WNBA and other professional sports leagues—especially the NBA. Despite the league’s growth and rising popularity, WNBA players still earn a fraction of their male counterparts, and even top rookies like Reese and Caitlin Clark have base salaries hovering around $76,000.
Speaking of Clark, the No. 1 overall pick and a rising face of the league, she addressed Reese’s comments with a measured but supportive tone. “Angel is passionate, and rightfully so,” Clark said. “We all want to see this league grow. We want to be compensated fairly for what we bring to the table—and I think conversations like this are necessary to spark real change.”
Clark’s response highlights the complex dynamic between competition and solidarity in the WNBA. Though Reese and Clark have become instant rivals on the court, off the court they seem united in a broader mission: elevating women’s sports and demanding equity.
The WNBA has yet to release an official statement regarding Reese’s remarks. However, insiders report that league officials are taking the situation seriously, especially as players’ voices grow louder and public pressure increases.
For now, fans are left wondering: Will Angel Reese truly step away from the sport she helped reinvigorate? Or will her words be the catalyst that forces the league—and its sponsors—to finally take action?
One thing is certain: women’s basketball is no longer willing to wait quietly for change. And voices like Angel Reese’s are ensuring that the conversation can’t be ignored any longer.
