July 27th 2024.
During the off season, WNBA All-Star Angel Reese is not taking a break from basketball. Instead, she is keeping herself busy by playing in the Unrivaled three-on-three women's basketball league co-founded by WNBA pros Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. This exciting new league has promised to offer historic contract opportunities, with the highest average salary in women's professional sports history. Reese, who is a forward for the Chicago Sky, announced her participation in the league on Instagram with a post titled "305 Barbie," as the first game will take place in Miami in January 2025.
The Unrivaled league has already gained the support of other women's sports leaders, such as soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. Stewart, who is one of the co-founders, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the needs of their players. She stated, "For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income. With Unrivaled, we're revolutionizing the game by investing in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay." This approach is a game-changer for the league and its players.
The league's roster is filled with 30 of the WNBA's rising stars, including Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Rhyne Howard, Kahleah Copper, and Jackie Young. Collier, another co-founder, believes that Reese's presence in the league will bring new opportunities for her and other players. "With the growing popularity of women's basketball and the WNBA, this is an opportunity for us to extend our visibility into the traditional basketball season," Collier stated.
Reese, who helped lead LSU to a national title in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, has become a well-known name in the world of basketball. She has also ventured into the entertainment industry, starring in hip-hop music videos, and has secured impressive deals with top brands such as Mercedes Benz, Mielle Hair Products, and Goldman Sachs. As the number seven draft pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese had an impressive rookie season, averaging 13.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, according to Bleacher Report. She also set a league record with double-doubles in 15 consecutive games and played a key role in her team's success.
Reese's fans will be delighted to know that they will see more of her even after the 3-on-3 season ends. The WNBA recently secured a massive $2.2 billion media rights deal with the Walt Disney Company, which owns major platforms such as ABC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal. The deal is set to start in 2026 and has the potential to be extended further. With this exciting new league and the WNBA's growing popularity, it is clear that Reese's future in basketball is bright. She has already made a name for herself, and her star is only going to keep rising.
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