Indianapolis may be buzzing with All-Star festivities right now, but just a day ago, it hosted a meeting that held the potential of shaping the future of the entire WNBA. The league and the WNBPA came together for their first in-person meeting since opting out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement earlier this year. Over 40 WNBPA representatives, including stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, were in attendance. But the end result? No agreement reached.
The Women’s Basketball Players Union released a statement after what was reportedly “a couple of hours” of discussion. And it’s safe to say that they were far from pleased with the WNBA’s offer! “The WNBA’s response to our proposals fails to address the priorities we’ve voiced from the day we opted out: a transformational CBA that delivers our rightful share of the business that we’ve built, improves working conditions, and ensures the success we create lifts both today’s players and the generations that follow,” read the statement.
The meeting, however, proved to be a wake-up call for Angel Reese, who admitted she hadn’t been fully aware of the underlying issues. “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,’” Reese said, per Robin Lundberg. Thankfully, she had a seasoned guide to help cut through the noise – her mom, a former pro baller herself, who had foreseen the red flags before the slideshow even began.
After the meeting, Angel Reese got candid about what went wrong and revealed that her mom had actually warned her about this. Speaking to the media, she said, “They show us the numbers from ’26 and ’27. They don’t show you ’30, ’30, ’31. And my mom told me when I was younger, like—they’ll show you the money here, but what about the longevity of it? The players that are coming after us, next year’s players. So I think it’s really important right now. Obviously, women’s basketball is skyrocketing, and it’s important for us to get what we want now.”
Reports suggest that the WNBA’s latest proposal fails to tackle the key concerns raised by the players’ union since they opted out of the current CBA in October. So, what exactly are the players fighting for? A fair stake in the league’s rising success, better working conditions, and long-term benefits that protect both current stars and future generations. And can you really blame them for demanding more? Just look at Caitlin Clark, for example.
Ever since she made her debut, her regular-season games have averaged a jaw-dropping 1.2 million viewers – that is almost 200% higher than the games without her. But that isn’t all! The overall TV ratings surged by 300%, with Fever games alone making up 45% of the league’s total broadcast value. And let’s not forget that whenever Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark face off, it instantly becomes the most-watched game on television. Together, they’ve completely transformed the WNBA landscape. Add to that the NBA’s massive new $76 billion media rights deal, which includes an extension to the W as well! An 11-year agreement worth $200 million annually, totaling $2.2 billion.
Also, on a WNBA paycheck alone, Angel Reese couldn’t have retired her mom, paid off her mortgage, and become a homeowner at 22. That kind of financial freedom didn’t come from the league; it came from the Unrivaled league and the sponsorship empire Reese has built herself. And while Reese’s fight for change in the league is inspiring enough on its own, it becomes even more admirable when you realize she’s doing it while battling a deeply personal challenge: cyberbullying. She recently opened up about the emotional toll it’s taken on her, pulling back the curtain on what it means to be both visible and vulnerable in the public eye.
Angel Reese opens up about Cyberbullying
Angel Reese has long had every little mistake scrutinized under a microscope. Perhaps it stems from her “you can’t see me” celebration directed at Caitlin during the 2023 NCAA championship game. Whatever it may be, the criticism has never stopped! Remember the ‘mebounds’ saga? Remember how fans used to mock her efficiency? Yeah, she has been through a lot!
Chicago, USA, May 29, 2025: Angel Reese 5 Chicago Sky reacts to a play during the game between the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings on Thursday May 29, 2025 at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, USA. NO COMMERCIAL USAGE Shaina Benhiyoun/SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xShainaxBenhiyoun/SPPx spp-en-ShBe-8P6A9473
In an interview with ESPN, she was candid about how this cyberbullying has affected her. “I’ve experienced it,” Reese said. “It was hard for me in the beginning. After I won the national championship, my whole life changed. That was the first time I had seen negativity like that on social media. I thought I had a huge following before but it skyrocketed to millions. It was bigger than basketball when they were finding my address, my car. I had to change my whole lifestyle. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore just because I feel like I’ve built a thicker skin but not everybody has a thick skin.”
And, yes, she turned the whole ‘mebound’ saga into something meaningful – trademarking the word and launching her own merch line. Sure, it elevated her brand, but it wasn’t just about business. A portion of the proceeds actually went to the Angel C. Reese Foundation to help fight cyberbullying. So, it’s honestly more than remarkable how she’s not only fighting for W players to get what they deserve but also working to make the community a safer, hate-free space. What do you think about her efforts? Let us know in the comments below!
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