Angel Reese Threatens WNBA Boycott Over Salary Disparities: “For However Long It Takes”

As the 2025 WNBA season approaches, tensions are escalating between players and the league regarding salary and working conditions. One of the most vocal figures in this growing dispute is Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, who has issued a stark warning about a potential boycott if the league fails to meet the demands of its players. Reese’s remarks, made on her podcast Unapologetically Angel, underscore the frustrations simmering within the WNBA Players’ Association (WNBA PA) over the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the widening pay gap between male and female athletes.

A Call for Change: Angel Reese’s Bold Warning

In a powerful statement, Reese told her listeners, “I need to be in those meetings because I’m hearing that if we don’t get what we’re asking for, we’re sitting out.” Her words are not just an expression of dissatisfaction but a clear indication that a player strike is a real possibility if the league does not make concessions regarding salary, benefits, and overall player treatment.

Reese’s remarks come at a critical juncture for the WNBA, with the existing CBA set to expire, and negotiations for a new agreement ongoing. The WNBA Players’ Association (WNBA PA) exercised its option to opt-out of the current CBA in October 2024, signaling a major shift in labor relations. With Reese leading the charge, players are demanding a fairer share of the league’s growing financial success. The threat of a strike has never felt more real, and Reese, alongside other prominent players like Dijonai Carrington of the Dallas Wings, has made it clear that they are prepared to stand firm for what they believe is right.

Rising Popularity vs. Player Compensation

The WNBA has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. Rising stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever have helped boost the league’s visibility, drawing record-breaking crowds and increasing television viewership. In 2024, the WNBA recorded 2.35 million fans attending games—the highest number in over two decades. Additionally, a landmark 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal in July 2024 has generated significant revenue for the league.

However, despite these financial successes, players argue that they are not receiving an equitable share of the revenue. Reese has been one of the most outspoken critics of the current salary structure, particularly the stark disparity between the WNBA and its male counterpart, the NBA. Currently, WNBA players earn an average annual salary of around $75,000, which is far below the multimillion-dollar contracts of NBA players.

For comparison, NBA players typically earn far higher salaries, with top players commanding tens of millions per season. The difference is even more apparent when considering that the WNBA’s media rights deal is a fraction of the NBA’s multi-billion-dollar deal.

A Growing Consensus: The Need for Revenue Sharing

One of the key issues in the ongoing negotiations is the call for a revenue-sharing model similar to the NBA’s. Players like Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum have been vocal in advocating for a 50-50 profit split between players and owners, which would ensure that the women’s league can keep up with the growing financial landscape of women’s sports. However, the WNBA owners have yet to commit to such a proposal, with many players arguing that the current pay structure does not reflect the increasing popularity and profitability of the league.

Other issues on the negotiating table include salary increases, pensions, and benefits related to childcare and family planning. For players like Reese, who are not only balancing their basketball careers but also navigating the challenges of family life, these benefits are crucial in ensuring long-term sustainability and equality in the workplace.

The Clock is Ticking: Time Running Out for a New Agreement

With the 2025 WNBA season set to tip off on May 16, the league is under increasing pressure to reach an agreement with the players’ association. For now, the players will continue to compete under the existing CBA, but as Reese and other stars have made clear, the clock is ticking. A work stoppage or boycott could drastically alter the course of the season and further fuel the growing tensions between the league and its players.

While negotiations continue behind closed doors, it’s clear that this issue is not going away anytime soon. Angel Reese’s vocal stance on behalf of the players signals that the fight for better pay, better benefits, and better respect for women athletes is far from over. As the WNBA’s most prominent stars continue to push for change, the world will be watching to see how the league responds to the calls for equity and fairness in women’s professional sports.

A Turning Point for Women’s Sports

Reese’s willingness to stand up for her fellow players could mark a critical turning point for women’s sports. As more attention is given to the disparities between men’s and women’s sports, athletes like Reese are pushing back against the notion that women should settle for less. With the global spotlight on the WNBA and women’s basketball continuing to grow, the future of the league hinges on how it addresses these concerns and how it treats its athletes—both on and off the court.

The ball is now in the court of the WNBA. Whether the league meets the demands of its players or faces the prospect of a strike will set the stage for the future of women’s professional basketball. And as Angel Reese has made clear, the players are ready to stand their ground—“for however long it takes.”