In a recent Instagram Live, WNBA superstar Angel Reese made a bold claim about her WNBA salary. The Chicago Sky rookie says that her WNBA paycheck isn’t enough to cover her cost of living, especially with the growing living expenses in a metropolitan city such as Chicago. On her Live, Reese said,
“Hating pays my bills, baby. I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at [in Chicago]. I’m gonna do the math real quick. I don’t even know my salary.”
Reese boldly claimed that she was living ‘beyond’ her means, stating that her $8,000 rent in Chicago was one such instance. “I wouldn’t even be able to eat a sandwich with [WNBA salary]. I wouldn’t even be able to live.”
While Reese does have her concerns, the WNBA provides all their players with housing and accommodation facilities during the season, paid for by their respective teams. Furthermore, players are also liable to receive a monthly housing allowance and a rental car from their teams, should they choose to live elsewhere.
It is worth noting that Reese and Caitlin Clark’s arrival has ushered in a new era for the league. The WNBA is now seeing record viewership and attendance, which will lead to an increase in revenue. This would eventually translate to an increase in salaries for the players, perhaps someday matching the same amounts as their counterparts in the NBA.
