Fact Check: Is Angel Reese Leaving WNBA in Viral Message?

“I think she’s quit on this season,” Jason Whitlock said on his podcast, “I think this is a worse version than Kawhi Leonard. I think she’s using her back as an excuse to sit out because she doesn’t really care about basketball“. The evidence, however, points in the opposite direction. Angel Reese missed ten games with a back injury, then returned against the Seattle Storm, showing no signs of slowing down. In her last two games, she has averaged 20 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 68.2% from the field. According to Polymarket Hoops, she is tied as the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 300 rebounds in a season and currently ranks third in 20/10 performances this year. So, does that really sound like someone who has “quit” on basketball?

MaxPeepo on X posted, “Breaking: Angel Reese threatens to improve the quality of the WNBA by leaving.” They shared a picture of Reese with her words on it: “I have options outside the WNBA and I am not afraid to take them if the league doesn’t start valuing its players more.” Clearly, Reese seems frustrated and is hinting at walking away if players’ demands aren’t met. But what exactly are those demands, and what’s really pushing her to this point? We’ll get into that, but it’s also interesting to explore what other options she might actually have.

One of the biggest opportunities for Angel Reese right now is Unrivaled, the new modified full-court 3×3 league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The league has already attracted some of the sport’s top talent and offers something the WNBA doesn’t — higher pay, better facilities, and more brand-building opportunities. Unrivaled has partnered with big names like Under Armour, Samsung Galaxy, State Farm, Wilson, and Sephora, making it a strong business move for athletes.

Players in Unrivaled earn an average salary of over $200,000 for an 8-week season, and participants in the inaugural campaign also receive equity in the league. As Angel Reese herself said in her first Unrivaled media availability, “I would stay here forever. Everything I need is here — from massages to cold tubs, to being able to have resources, to workouts and everything.” Clearly, this league is giving players the kind of treatment and respect many have been asking for.

Reese also has other potential options beyond Unrivaled, thanks to her strong brand and NIL presence. Her NIL deal value was approximately $1.8 million, as per On3, making her one of the most marketable athletes coming out of college. Her biggest NIL deal is with Reebok, which came after Shaquille O’Neal became the company’s President of Basketball Operations. This kind of financial security gives her the freedom to explore alternatives without fully depending on the league.

Then there’s always the overseas route—something Reese has openly admitted she’s considering in the future. During a live appearance on Complex’s 360 with Speedy show last year, she said, “It’s a blessing [to be financially well off]. [But] one day I’ll probably go overseas because I like to travel. I’m going to go there for travel and just make some money while I’m hooping but also travel. I like to get the best of both worlds. So one day, I’ll probably go overseas, get some money, have a good time.”

For now, though, Reese hasn’t confirmed any plans to leave the WNBA, but it’s clear she’s unhappy with how the league has been handling things—she has choices, and she’s not afraid to explore them if the WNBA doesn’t start valuing its players more.

Angel Reese gets real about pay and respect in the WNBA

Angel Reese’s frustrations with the WNBA run deeper than most realize. Even after earning a 90 overall rating in NBA 2K26, placing her in the top 10, her reaction was almost indifferent. In an interview, she said, “I don’t know my rating,” and when told she had a 93 (incorrectly), she simply replied, “Oh, okay. Does that mean something?” When informed she was actually top-10, her response was just, “Great. Thanks.” That quiet shrug speaks volumes. Despite her growing popularity and success, Reese doesn’t feel fully valued by the league.

On Instagram Live, she admitted, “The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think it pays one of my bills. Literally. I’m living beyond my means.” Her $8,000 monthly rent totals $96,000 a year, which already exceeds her rookie salary of $73,749 and even her sophomore salary of $74,909. Thankfully, endorsements and NIL deals have helped Reese stay financially stable, especially her massive Reebok deal. But she’s been vocal about how WNBA salaries don’t reflect the value players bring to the league — especially now, given the rising revenues offered by Unrivaled.

And for Reese, it’s not just about the paycheck; it’s about respect and fairness, too. After a game against the Minnesota Lynx, she didn’t hold back on her frustration with officiating, saying, “It had to be fixed… and I don’t give a damn if I get fined because that [explicit] is cheap, and I am tired of this [explicit].” She attempted just two free throws in that game, unusually low for someone as physical and dominant in the paint as Reese.

Beyond that, Reese has become heavily involved in the CBA negotiations, openly calling the league’s initial proposal “disrespectful.” She explained, “It was an eye-opener for me… hearing the language of things, not things that I was happy to hear. It was disrespectful… the proposal that we were sent back.” With the current CBA expiring on October 31 and a new media-rights deal set to begin in 2026, players see revenues climbing fast and want their fair share. Attendance and viewership have skyrocketed, with stars like Caitlin Clark and Reese herself turning games into must-watch events, yet salaries haven’t kept pace. As Reese put it bluntly, “We deserve more. Everybody. But we gotta face the consequences.”