Angel Reese brutally shuts down probing Caitlin Clark question with incredibly blunt two-word response

With the start of the new WNBA season right around the corner, the 23-year-old brutally shut down a question which alluded to a statement she made last year that sparked intense criticism.  “Last year you made a powerful statement, saying the reason people are watching women’s basketball is just not because of one player but because of you too,” the reporter asked during a recent Chicago Sky press conference.

Before they could even finish their question, Reese interrupted them and said, “Next question.”  Back in June 2024, Reese faced heavy criticism on social media after she passionately argued that the growth of women’s basketball is not just down to rival Caitlin Clark, but because of her, too.

“We got celebrities coming to games. Sold out arenas…The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of 1 person. It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realize that,” she said at the time.  Reese was looking to credit herself along with Clark, who has long been praised for thrusting the WNBA in a new stratosphere with record-breaking attendances, viewership figures, and merchandise sales.

However, the manner in which Reese replied at the time drew the ire of basketball fans, who claimed she was in denial or just flat out ‘jealous’ of Clark.  “Just say you’re jealous we get it,” one fan wrote on X.  “She’s very wrong. Wait till she sees the difference in ratings and attendance with and without Clark. It’s not crazy to think the biggest star is the biggest draw, it’s really not a debate,” another wrote.  Ultimately, no matter who is responsible for growth of the WNBA, every player stands to benefit from the increased attention on the league, particularly when it pertains to salaries.

For the people who can’t understand him i added captions! Angel Reese is not playing with y’all weirdos this year! All focus on the court! Actual Basketball #ChiBarbie #DoubleDoubleBarbie pic.twitter.com/HdywsoyJ3T

— Tye Sports (@Tye_Sports) May 12, 2025

Last November, the WNBA announced an 11-year media rights deal last year valued at $200 million a year.  This is higher than the $60 million the league currently gets, something that will dramatically increase pay packages.  There is hope that changes to the contract limits will come as soon as the Women’s National Basketball Player Association has opted out of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WNBA.

The current range of salaries starts from $64,154 to $241,984 for a player on a super maximum contract.  No CBA has been agreed yet, and Reese made headlines earlier this year when she suggested players could sit out should a new deal failed to be struck.  “If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out,” she said, while talking to fellow WNBA player Dijonai Carrington on her podcast.

Reese is on a four-year $324,383 rookie scale contract and is set to make just under $75,000 in 2025.  The WNBPA and the WNBA have until October 31 to come to terms on a new CBA.  For now, Reese and her WNBA peers will certainly be focused on the start of the WNBA season, which begins on May 16.