Angel Reese Once Said The WNBA Doesn’t Pay Her Bills, Now She’s One Of The Top-Paid Women Athletes In 2025 Thanks To Earnings Off The Court – AfroTech
Angel Reese admitted that the WNBA doesn’t pay her bills, yet her efforts beyond the court place her among the highest-paid in women’s sports.
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Reese comes from humble beginnings.
She shared that she “used to be broke” and would clock in to work at Smashburger before going to practice in high school.
Then the name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy, which went into effect in 2021, allowed Reese to find financial security. She secured deals with brands such as Coach, Wingstop, McDonald’s, Raising Cane’s, and Reebok.
She transitioned to the pros, signing with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky as the seventh overall pick in 2024. According to Spotrac, she is under a four-year contract worth $324,383, with a base salary of $74,909. In a 2024 live, she admitted her league salary doesn’t cover her bills.
“The WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally,” she said in a 2024 live.
Partnerships
Reese’s business moves off the court, on the other hand, include partnerships that help bring in the cash:
Reebok
She also extended her business partnership with Reebok, signing a multi-year endorsement deal. Her signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, sold out in minutes following its September launch, Sports Illustrated reports. Its second drop was released in October and sold out in a day.
Unrivaled & More
Reese is also signed to Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league that ensures its players make at least six figures, Front Office Sports reports. Its players are additionally able to have an equity stake in the league.
“Everybody got equity coming into this league, that’s the most important thing…I know five years from now this thing is gonna be bigger than ever,” Reese, who plays for Unrivaled’s Rose BC team, said during a virtual press conference held in January where AFROTECH™ was present.
Furthermore, Reese has also enhanced the visibility of her brand through the Victoria’s Secret fashion show and as the cover athlete for the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26.
$9.4M In Earnings
Forbes now reports that Reese is among the highest-paid women’s athletes in 2025, with $9.4 million in earnings. She is listed at No. 15 with the top 20 earners collectively bringing in $293 million in 2025. At No. 1 is Coco Gauff, who is the highest-paid female athlete for the third year in a row, with $33 million in earnings, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
