The WNBA is in the midst of a revolution. While the league enjoys unprecedented popularity, with soaring TV ratings and sold-out arenas, its players are raising their voices louder than ever before. At the heart of the movement is Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, who has become one of the most outspoken athletes in the fight for fair compensation in women’s basketball.

A Stage for Protest: All-Star Weekend

This weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis was designed to be a showcase for the league’s brightest talents. The court was filled with stars like Napheesa Collier, Allisha Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Kelsey Mitchell. Team Collier ultimately triumphed over Team Clark in a thrilling matchup that highlighted the league’s depth and skill.

But it wasn’t just the on-court action that drew attention. Before tip-off, players from both teams made a powerful statement. Clad in black t-shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” the athletes used the league’s biggest stage to spotlight their ongoing dispute with league officials over salary and working conditions.

Napheesa Collier, one of the league’s most respected leaders, summed up the mood before the game: “This is where the money’s at, so both sides are going to fight really hard for it. We just have to make them know that we’re not backing down on this point.”

Angel Reese: “The WNBA Doesn’t Pay My Bills”

No player has captured the public’s attention quite like Angel Reese. At just 23 years old, Reese has become not only a force on the court but also a leading voice off it. Her candidness about financial realities has struck a chord with fans and fellow athletes alike.

Speaking on Instagram Live last year, Reese shocked many by revealing the harsh truth behind her $73,000 WNBA salary. “I just hope y’all know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all,” she said. “I don’t even think that pays one of my bills… [the salary] isn’t enough to pay my car note, I wouldn’t even be able to eat, I wouldn’t be able to live. I’m living beyond my means!”

Reese’s rent alone, she disclosed, is $8,000 a month—nearly $100,000 a year. Her comments highlighted the disconnect between the league’s growing profile and the financial struggles faced by many of its players.

The Numbers Behind the Dispute

The WNBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) entitles players to just 25% of league profits, and only if revenue targets are met. This is a stark contrast to the NBA, where players receive 50% of all revenue regardless of targets. Under the WNBA’s structure, rookie contracts start at $72,000, and only one player per team can earn up to $250,000 per year.

The gap is glaring when compared to the NBA, where even bench players can earn millions. Steph Curry, for example, reportedly earned $51.9 million in the 2023/24 season—more than 200 times the WNBA’s top salary. The highest-paid WNBA player, Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces, earns about $252,000 per year.

Making Ends Meet: Endorsements and Alternative Leagues

For many WNBA players, survival depends on more than just their league salary. Angel Reese, like many of her peers, supplements her income with endorsement deals and participation in off-season leagues. In 2024, she joined the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league, which features 36 WNBA players and offers average salaries around $220,000—close to the WNBA’s maximum base salary. Players in Unrivaled are also offered equity in the organization, a groundbreaking step for women’s sports.

Reese has expressed gratitude for these opportunities. “Being able to play for four to five months and get $75,000 on top of the other endorsements that I’m doing, I think it’s a plus for me,” she said. “Being able to make six figures within three months [in Unrivaled], being able to be housed in Miami, just being able to get better… I think it’s amazing.”

Still, these opportunities are not available to every player, and the need to juggle multiple jobs underscores the inadequacy of the WNBA’s current pay structure.

A League at a Crossroads

The All-Star protest was more than a publicity stunt—it was a sign of a league at a crossroads. The players’ union and league officials are locked in tense negotiations over the next CBA. The players are demanding not just higher salaries, but a fundamental shift in how the league values its talent. They want a greater share of revenue, improved travel conditions (including charter flights for all teams), and more investment in marketing and player development.

Collier and other stars have made clear that this is not just about individual paychecks—it’s about the future of women’s basketball. “We’re not just changing the game on the court. We’re rewriting the rules off it, too,” Collier said.

The Broader Impact

The WNBA’s pay dispute is emblematic of a larger conversation happening across women’s sports. From soccer to tennis, female athletes are demanding to be paid in line with their male counterparts. Sponsors and fans are increasingly supportive, recognizing the value and entertainment these athletes provide.

Social media has amplified the movement. Hashtags like #PayWNBAPlayers and #InvestInWomen trended throughout All-Star weekend, and fans brought signs supporting the players’ cause to the arena.

What’s Next?

As the WNBA continues to grow, the pressure on league officials to address these issues will only intensify. The outcome of the current negotiations could set a precedent for women’s sports worldwide.

For Angel Reese and her fellow athletes, the message is clear: applause and admiration are not enough. “We love this game, and we want to see it grow,” Reese said. “But we need to be able to live, too.”

The league’s future—and the future of women’s sports—may well depend on how it responds.