Angel Reese calls WNBA proposal ‘disrespectful’ amid negotiations

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese made her emotions clear on the latest negotiations between the WNBA and its participant’s union, the WNBPA, over a brand new collective bargaining settlement. 

Reese mentioned the proposal the WNBA despatched to the gamers was “disrespectful.” 

“It was an eye-opener for me. Like, listening to the issues and listening to the language of issues and never issues that I used to be completely happy to listen to. It was disrespectful the issues that we had been despatched again, the proposal that we had been despatched again,” Reese advised reporters at WNBA All-Star weekend on Friday. 

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“It is necessary to have the ability to be vocal. If I sit again, it seems to be like I do not care.” 

Reese is without doubt one of the league’s extra common and polarizing gamers, and has constructed a passionate following largely on her ongoing rivalry with phenom Caitlin Clark relationship again to their faculty days. Clark’s and Reese’s rookie season in 2024 noticed the league break a number of viewership and attendance data, significantly as a result of video games that includes Clark and the Indiana Fever. 

“Clearly, girls’s basketball is skyrocketing. And it is necessary for us to get what we wish now, not simply now, however for the long run as effectively,” Reese mentioned. “It is very nice to have vets that might not be taking part in for 10 extra years, however they’re talking for us as a result of they understand how necessary it’s proper now.”

The gamers met with league officers on Thursday, and the 2 sides didn’t come to a deal. Reese is one in every of many WNBA gamers who’ve expressed criticism for the league’s dealing with of negotiations. 

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu mentioned the gamers weren’t simply going to accept “the minimal” in negotiations, whereas Phoenix Mercury participant Satou Sabally referred to as the league’s newest CBA provide a “slap within the face.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert advised The Related Press after the assembly that the assembly was “constructive.”

“It was very constructive dialogue. I believe, , clearly a part of the method is to shuttle and, take heed to the gamers, they take heed to us and the homeowners who symbolize the board of governors,” Engelbert mentioned. “I nonetheless really feel actually optimistic that we are able to get one thing transformational accomplished by the top. However it’s a course of.”

Reese beforehand ignited a social media firestorm after claiming that gamers are ready to take a seat out video games to demand increased salaries throughout an episode of her podcast in early March whereas previewing the upcoming CBA negotiations. 

CAITLIN CLARK NEEDS TO BE HELD BACK IN HEATED CONFRONTATION WITH WNBA REF

“I’ve received to get within the conferences, as a result of I am listening to like, ‘If y’all do not give us what we wish, we sitting out,'” Reese mentioned.

Reese has griped about her monetary state of affairs up to now.

“The WNBA do not pay my payments in any respect. I do not even suppose it pays one in every of my payments. Actually,” Reese mentioned. 

Reese signed a four-year, $324,383 rookie contract forward of her first WNBA season in 2024. She made beneath $75,000 in her first yr and can make lower than that in 2025. 

In October, Reese admitted she could not afford to pay her payments based mostly on that wage, in an Instagram dwell video. 

“I’m residing past my means. Hating pays them payments, child. I simply hope the WNBA don’t pay my payments in any respect,” she mentioned. “I don’t even suppose that pays one of my payments. Actually, I’m making an attempt to consider my hire for the place I keep at. Let me do the mathematics actual fast. I don’t even know my (WNBA) wage, $74,000?”

Reese mentioned she is paying $8,000 for hire.

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“Babe, if y’all thought… That WNBA test don’t pay a factor,” she added. “Did that even pay my automotive word? … I wouldn’t even have the ability to eat a sandwich with that. I wouldn’t even have the ability to eat. I wouldn’t have the ability to dwell.”

The WNBA gamers’ union opted out of its present collective bargaining settlement final October, two years earlier than its expiration. The present CBA will nonetheless cowl the 2025 season, so the 2 sides have a yr to barter a brand new settlement.

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