Angel Reese Sends Powerful Message to WNBA: Demands 7-Figure Salaries, Revenue Sharing, and Real Change in CBA Fight
In a pivotal moment for women’s professional basketball, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has emerged as a powerful voice and leader in the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Her unwavering determination to fight for better salaries, revenue sharing, and improved benefits for players is not only inspiring her peers, but it’s also shaping the future of the league.
Angel Reese: The Voice of a Movement
Known for her outspoken nature and fearless advocacy, Angel Reese has made it clear that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Months ago, she boldly threatened a lockout on social media, signaling that players are willing to take drastic measures to secure fair compensation. Nearly two weeks ago, she reiterated the players’ resolve, stating that they are united in their fight for a bigger piece of the WNBA’s revenue pie.
“We are all here to fight for the same thing, and what we deserve,” Reese told Robin Lundberg. “We’re not going to stop until we get exactly what we want. And yesterday’s meeting really woke me up to the eyes of, we aren’t getting what we deserve. And knowing that for a long time… the numbers they were giving us, I’m like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know all this stuff.’”
Players Demand Change
The intensity of the CBA negotiations has grown in recent weeks, with as many as 40 players meeting face-to-face with WNBA officials in pursuit of common ground. Their message was amplified during the recent All-Star game, where players donned shirts emblazoned with “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” The crowd responded in solidarity, chanting “pay them” during warmups and when Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier received the MVP award.
A Clear Message to the League
Reese furthered her advocacy during a recent appearance on “NBA on ESPN.” When asked by reporter Elle Duncan about her non-negotiable in the next CBA, Reese was unequivocal:
“The team revenue, the revenue shares — that’s really important for us,” Reese said. “We deserve it. I know we’re not letting up. I know we’re going to do whatever it takes to get what we deserve. I’m just going to continue to educate myself on what’s going on and staying involved.
I know my voice, I know my platform, and I know when I speak, people are listening. Not that I need the money, but it’s for everybody else. It’s for people that are coming behind me. It’s the people that already played before me, so that’s why I’m going to continue to speak.”
The Numbers Behind the Fight
The WNBA’s average player salary stands at $147,745 — the lowest among the six major U.S. professional sports leagues, and trailing far behind the MLS average of $594,000. Last year, the league reportedly lost $40 million, a figure often cited by league officials as justification for holding down player salaries.
Unlike the NFL, NBA, and NHL, which guarantee their players 47-51% of league revenue, the WNBA only offers players a share of “excess revenue,” payable only if the league surpasses its revenue targets. Both the WNBA and MLS currently distribute just 25% of excess revenue to players, a model that Reese and her peers argue is outdated and unfair.
A Movement for the Future
Angel Reese’s leadership is about more than just her own career. She’s fighting for current players, those who came before her, and the generations who will follow. Her willingness to use her platform to demand change is rallying the league’s athletes and fans alike.
As negotiations continue, the impact of Angel Reese’s advocacy will likely be felt for years to come. Her call for seven-figure salaries, equitable revenue sharing, and improved benefits is not just a demand for fairness — it’s a blueprint for the future of women’s professional sports.
