Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky: Canceled Exit Interview Fuels Uncertainty
Angel Reese’s rocky relationship with the Chicago Sky appears to have taken another sharp turn after the franchise abruptly canceled her scheduled exit interview with the media. According to The Sporting News, the team had originally announced that Reese, along with Ariel Atkins and Courtney Vandersloot—both pending free agents—would meet with reporters following the Sky’s disappointing season. But at the last moment, the organization reversed course, confirming that none of the three players would speak publicly, even as their teammates went ahead with their sessions.
The move has quickly ignited speculation. Unlike Atkins and Vandersloot, whose contracts are set to expire this offseason, Reese remains under contract, making the cancellation particularly intriguing. Vandersloot is widely expected to re-sign, while Atkins is weighing her options. Reese, however, is seen as a cornerstone for the franchise’s future, which raises the question: why would the team shield her from the media spotlight at such a critical juncture?
A team statement later clarified that the three players would conduct exit interviews “at a later date,” but the explanation did little to quiet the storm. Reporters covering the Sky were left puzzled, and fans took to social media, with theories ranging from behind-the-scenes disagreements to potential trade discussions. The lack of transparency only deepened the sense that something larger might be unfolding.
The timing could not be worse for the Sky. Just weeks earlier, Reese had stirred controversy with her blunt assessment of the franchise’s struggles. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she voiced frustration over the team’s 10–34 finish, which tied for the worst record in the WNBA. “I’m not settling for the same s**t we did this year,” she told reporter Julia Poe. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason.”
The comments reverberated throughout the league. While some praised Reese’s candor and competitive spirit, others criticized her for calling out her teammates and management so publicly. The backlash led Reese to issue an apology to the team, staff, and players. Even so, the Sky disciplined her, suspending the second-year forward for half a game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 7.
That sequence of events casts a shadow over the canceled interviews. To many observers, it appears that tensions between Reese and the organization remain unresolved. Analysts note that it is unusual for a franchise to withhold one of its key players from postseason availability, especially when that player has been at the center of so much conversation.
Reese’s situation also underscores broader challenges facing the Sky as they attempt to rebuild. After falling from contention to the bottom of the standings, the franchise must navigate free agency, roster reshuffling, and internal dynamics to avoid another lost year. Reese, known for her relentless rebounding and fiery personality, is supposed to be a key part of that turnaround. But her frustrations—and the team’s handling of them—suggest there is work to be done before everyone is aligned on the path forward.
For now, fans are left with more questions than answers. Will Reese and the Sky repair their fractured relationship? Could the star forward be seeking a way out despite her contract? And what role will management play in shaping a roster that can match Reese’s ambitions?
Until Reese speaks publicly—or until the Sky provide a clearer explanation—the speculation is unlikely to fade. What is certain, however, is that the canceled interviews have transformed what should have been a routine postseason ritual into a flashpoint moment for the franchise. And with one of the league’s brightest young stars at the center of the storm, the WNBA world will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds…
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