Angel Reese Claps Back at Social Media Criticism, Sparks Debate on Pay and Double Standards in Sports
Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has once again shown that she won’t be intimidated by critics questioning her choices on and off the court. After a social media user asked whether she wanted to be an Instagram model or a WNBA player—suggesting she needed to “pick one”—Reese responded with striking honesty. “Well no, I’ll never pick because my dream job doesn’t pay me enough while my side job pays me 7 figures,” she wrote, highlighting the stark financial contrast between women’s basketball salaries and the lucrative world of personal branding and endorsements. The comment immediately ignited a wave of debate, putting Reese squarely at the center of a broader conversation about gender, pay, and respect in professional sports.
For many fans, Reese’s reply was more than just a clap back—it was a rare moment of transparency from a professional athlete navigating two overlapping worlds. On one hand, she is living her dream as a rising star in the WNBA, competing at the highest level of women’s basketball. On the other, she is leveraging her visibility and influence on social media platforms, where endorsements and modeling opportunities often pay significantly more than her league salary. The balance between passion and profit is not new for female athletes, but Reese’s blunt words underscored just how glaring the disparity has become.
Her message resonated with supporters who praised her for refusing to conform to outdated expectations. “Why should she have to choose?” one fan tweeted. “Men in the NBA and NFL have endorsements and side hustles all the time, and nobody questions their commitment.” Others echoed the sentiment, pointing to the persistent gender pay gap that forces women in sports to pursue supplemental income just to maximize their careers. Reese, with her unapologetic confidence, has become a symbol of a new generation of athletes unwilling to apologize for building wealth while pursuing their dreams.
Still, not everyone was impressed. Critics argued that Reese’s focus on social media and modeling takes away from her dedication to the game, suggesting that her priorities could hurt her performance. The exchange reflects a long-standing double standard: while male athletes are celebrated for their business ventures, female athletes are often criticized for doing the same. Reese’s willingness to confront that hypocrisy directly has only intensified the spotlight on her career.
Beyond the immediate firestorm, Reese’s comments highlight an uncomfortable truth about the economics of women’s sports. The WNBA continues to grow in visibility, yet players’ salaries remain a fraction of what male counterparts in the NBA earn. For someone like Reese, who commands a massive following online, the math is undeniable—her “side job” is not just a hobby, but a critical part of her professional identity. And in her own words, there’s nothing wrong with chasing both passion and profit.
As she put it, the real issue isn’t her ability to juggle roles, but society’s reluctance to accept that a woman can dominate in more than one arena. Reese summed it up best in her fiery rebuttal: when your side hustle earns more than your dream job, why should you be forced to choose?
For Reese, the answer is clear: she doesn’t have to pick, and she never will. And if the conversation her words have sparked is any indication, the world of sports—and its perception of women athletes—may have to catch up to her reality.
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