“It’s Business”: Angel Reese Undervalued as Caitlin Clark’s $750K Edge Ignites “Unfairness” Debate Ahead of Unrivaled League

It must have truly been an EUREKA moment when Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier got the idea of having a women’s basketball league in Miami. The league scheduled to start in January next year will have 30 players in the inaugural season. As we inch closer to the end of the year, there are growing murmurs that the Unrivaled has to select the remaining 4 players, one of which could be Caitlin Clark. Perhaps, the league needs a star who can draw large crowds so that the 3×3 basketball league becomes a success from the get-go. However, one of the problems could arise with her rival Angel Reese who might feel unimportant to the league.

On Sunday’s episode of Come And Talk 2 Me, Kianna Nycole joined Treasure Wilson to answer some important questions about the league and if it was impartial to Reese. Wilson points out that as per reports, Clark might have been offered a Messi-like deal. She might get a $1 million salary along with “equity and a revenue share for three months of work they’re also thinking about giving her a stake into broadcasting rights…” Wilson then asked Nycole if it was right to do so.

Notably, Reese was the 10th player to join the Unrivaled. While the league is set to pay their athletes more than the WNBA (a six-figure salary for 3 months of play) and also give them equity in it, what stands out is that Clark will get more than that. She might get broadcasting rights and a revenue share like the soccer giant did. The league recently got a deal with TNT Sports which might be a lucrative offer for Clark. Furthermore, even their salaries differ. However, Nycole ruled out unfairness.

“I mean… yeah it’s fair. It’s business like your name and your reputation and your talent brings in dollar. Brings in fans. Brings in prestige. Like she has a platform, so they’re paying her for the platform that she brings. And I think that goes across with anything like there are some players getting paid more getting more deals doing whatever because they have a personality. They have a presence. They have appeal and you know businesses recognize that and they want to put dollars into that to get that reach so I don’t think it’s unfair at all, right,” Nycole stated.

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Sky player Angel Reese arrives prior to the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The minimum salary in the league is said to be $100K. Meanwhile, Reese’s salary is estimated to be $250K. At the same time, Clark might make $1 million. This difference might make Reese uncomfortable since the WNBA has benefitted not only through Clark but also from Reese’s arrival. Therefore this $750K difference will surely pinch the Chi-Town Barbie, who had recently shared her rent issues. But fans are not sure if Clark will join the league.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s off-season yearnings are different

When athletes were joining Unrivaled, Clark had revealed that all she needed was to contribute her best for the WNBA team – the Indiana Fever. Next, when the season ended, the point guard divulged that she would be playing golf in the offseason. She even joined Martha Foyer-Faulconer and learned some tactics of the new sport from her.

Before that even in her Instagram post when the Fever were eliminated from the playoffs, Clark had clearly written that she would see her fans in “year two.”All this led to many speculating that she wouldn’t be joining the league. Meanwhile, Reese has her own issues.

Reese, much like other players, must have been looking for a league to play in the offseason. And what better than having Unrivaled? She also recently came on Instagram Live and pointed out that her WNBA salary cannot afford her Chicago rent of $8K per month. Hence, going by her statements it would be better for her if she sets her financial avenues so that none of her bills is a liability on her.

Hopefully, Reese will rationalize the league’s behavior towards Clark. And instead make the most of the opportunity to perform her best in Miami which might give her a bigger share in the next season onwards.