“As long as it takes.” Angel Reese fires back at critics after hinting she might sit out the WNBA over a $75K-a-year contract. The rising star refuses to back down, making it clear she knows her worth—and won’t settle for less.

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The WNBA faces a potential labor dispute as players push for better revenue sharing and benefits. With the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) up for renegotiation, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has hinted that players may take drastic action if their demands aren’t met.

Reese Hints at Player Strike

On her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Reese revealed that a strike could be on the horizon.

“I need to be in the [players’ union] meetings because I’m hearing that if [the league] doesn’t give us what we want, we’re sitting out,” Reese stated.

Dallas Wings star Dijonai Carrington, a guest on the episode, echoed Reese’s sentiment, acknowledging that a strike is a “possibility.”

A Record-Breaking Season for the WNBA

The WNBA saw historic growth in the 2024 season, thanks in part to rookies like Reese and Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark. Viewership and ticket sales hit record highs:

2,353,735 fans attended games, the highest in 22 years.
TV ratings averaged 657,000 viewers per game, the highest in 24 years.

This surge in popularity helped the WNBA land an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal.

Players Demand a Fair Share

Despite the league’s financial success, WNBA players feel they aren’t receiving fair compensation. Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum has been vocal about the need for a 50-50 revenue-sharing model, similar to the NBA’s.

Beyond revenue, key CBA negotiation points include:

Increased salaries
Pensions
Child care and family planning benefits

What’s Next for the WNBA?

The 2025 season, which starts on May 16, will operate under the current CBA. However, negotiations for a new agreement are ongoing, and if a deal isn’t reached, a work stoppage could be on the table.

With stars like Reese raising concerns, all eyes are on the WNBA and its players’ union to see how the situation unfolds.