Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is set to join the Unrivaled 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league that begins play in January 2025.
The league, co-founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, promises to pay the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history.
Reese, in the running for Rookie of the Year honors in the WNBA, is currently making $73,439 for her inaugural season. She signed a four-year, $324,383 contract with the Chicago Sky when she was drafted seventh overall.
The Sky forward celebrated the announcement on X.
305 BARBIEEEEE👑 SEE YALL IN THE YAMSSSSSSS🤭 https://t.co/tFmlwdlsZN
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 24, 2024
Angel Reese Joins Top-Paying 3×3 League
Reese, who has already made a significant impact in the WNBA, will be joining a league that aims to keep top players in the United States during the offseason.
All of the 3×3 league’s games will be played in Miami, providing a significant edge in recruitment for those women not enamored with the idea of supplementing their offseason by playing for money overseas.
Unrivaled has financial backing from Ally Financial and some of the world’s top athletes. They state they will provide six-figure deals, with all 30 players (on six teams) receiving equity.
And they intend to put some of the best players in women’s basketball on the court. Angel Reese marks the 10th player to join along with Stewart, Collier, Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Rhyne Howard, Kahleah Copper, and Jackie Young.
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Say Hello To 305 Barbie
The Unrivaled League is set to begin in January 2025, and with the addition of Angel Reese, it is sure to attract even more attention.
The league’s innovative approach and commitment to providing the highest salaries in women’s professional sports league history could make it a game-changer in the world of women’s basketball.
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income,” Stewart said, via the New York Post. “With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.”
Reese recently became the first rookie to record a double-double in a WNBA All-Star game.
There is no indication as of yet that her rival Caitlin Clark would be joining the Unrivaled 3×3 league, but Reese did suggest the two might be teaming up in the future.
