Angel Reese is rapidly establishing herself as a standout player during her second season with the Chicago Sky, emerging as a key talent alongside teammates Kamilla Cardoso and Hailey Van Lith. While her on-court contributions are notable, Reese’s influence extends beyond the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA, especially in the offseason where she competes in the Miami-based Unrivaled League, a high-profile 3-on-3 basketball competition featuring WNBA stars like Brittney Griner and Kate Martin.
Unrivaled League Increases Player Salaries, Signaling Growth
The Unrivaled League recently disclosed that it has signed nearly 90% of its roster for the upcoming 2026 season and plans to raise the average player salary from last year’s $220,000. League co-founder Alex Bazzell confirmed these developments to Front Office Sports but did not specify the exact increase in pay, emphasizing that the business’s performance has surpassed all initial projections.
“The numbers are going up because the business outperformed every metric that we had,”
—Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled League co-founder
“Unrivaled has already signed nearly 90% of its 2026 roster, cofounder Alex Bazzell told FOS.He also confirmed that the average salary will increase from $220,000 last season.”
—Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 5, 2025
Contrasting Salaries Expose WNBA Pay Discrepancy
Despite the growing financial support in alternative basketball leagues, WNBA salaries remain comparatively lower. According to Front Office Sports reporter Colin Salao, the average WNBA salary is under $150,000 with a minimum salary near $66,000. Angel Reese, currently on her rookie contract with Chicago Sky, earns $74,909 this season, which is substantially less than what players receive in the Unrivaled League.
Reese’s On-Court Performance Highlights Her Rising Profile
This season, Reese is averaging impressive statistics including 14.2 points, a league-leading 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 23 games. Her strong performance has made her a cornerstone for the Sky and a prominent voice advocating for improved player conditions in ongoing WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks.
The Growing Spotlight on Player Compensation in Women’s Basketball
The salary gap between the WNBA and other emerging leagues like Unrivaled raises important questions about the future of women’s professional basketball and highlights the urgent need for wage discussions. As Reese and other players continue to excel on and off the court, their voices in CBA negotiations gain strength, signaling a potential shift toward more equitable compensation for female athletes.