Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s emerging star, recently shared with her followers a challenge that many would not expect from a top professional athlete. Despite being one of the top WNBA draft picks, Reese spoke up in an Instagram live video about her concerns about the exorbitant expense of living in Chicago, namely the $8,000 monthly rent she pays.Her reflection triggered a much-needed discussion on the massive wage disparity between the WNBA and the NBA, revealing exactly how significant the earnings differential is.
In the video, Reese stated that her Sky salary, which is approximately $73,000 for the season, does not cover her expenses. “The WNBA doesn’t pay my bills at all,” she said, openly admitting that she is living beyond her means.
WNBA vs. NBA wages This sort of financial strain is unthinkable for NBA players, whose starting salaries can surpass millions of dollars during their rookie years. Reese’s inability to cover basic bills exposes a financial discrepancy that is rarely discussed but deeply felt by many WNBA players.
While NBA players such as Donovan Clingan, who was also a top-10 pick in 2024, would earn up to $6.8 million in his first year, Reese and her WNBA teammates confront a grim reality. For them, financing a good living in major cities like Chicago may seem like a pipe dream.
The average wage in the WNBA is around $150,000 each season, whereas in the NBA it is approximately $10 million. The disparity in television viewership accounts for a considerable portion of the salary inequality.
The WNBA’s ratings have steadily increased under Cathy Engelbert’s leadership, although it still does not reach a large audience.
The league wants to change this trend with athletes such as Caitlin Clark, and to a lesser extent, Angel Reese (LSU), Paige Bueckers (UC), and Cameron Brink (Stanford). Clark’s remarkable run to the NCAA championships last season drew 10 million viewers when her Iowa Hawkeyes faced Reese’s LSU Tigers.
Reese’s statements exposed more than just her personal troubles; they also revealed a system in which top female athletes are compelled to rely on outside income, such as social media sponsorships, to make ends meet.
This contemplation has sparked a bigger discussion about the gender salary inequality in professional sports, where a $8,000 monthly rent is a luxury for an NBA player but nearly impossible for many WNBA players.
Reese’s frank words not only shed light on her own financial difficulties, but also bring the continuing discussion over pay fairness in sports to the forefront.
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