“Welcome to Adulthood”: Commenters Respond Harshly to Angel Reese’s $8K Rent Dilemma

WNBA star Angel Reese has sparked a viral debate after sharing that her salary doesn’t cover her expenses, reportedly a high rent. The professional basketball player, 22, who plays for Chicago Sky, spoke candidly about the situation during an Instagram Live session on October 16 and admitted she was living highly above her means.

I just hope y’all know that the WNBA doesn’t pay my bills at all,” she said in the clip, which has since gone viral across social media. “I don’t even think that covers one of my bills,” Reese added, pointing specifically to her high rent.

She went ahead to reveal that her rent is more than what she makes for being a pro in the Women’s National Basketball Association. “I don’t even know my salary. I’m living beyond my means. My rent is more than that, it’s $8,000,” she revealed.

The former Rookie of the Year runner-up estimated she took home $74,000 during her first season and couldn’t help but air frustration over her financial juggling act. That salary’s a decent one to most people, but it’s not enough to pay all of her bills-most notably the $8,000 per month in rent for her Chicago apartment.

Reese acknowledged the positive was a WNBA player, playing only four to five months out of the year, making around $75,000, with her endorsement deals on top of that. The basketball phenom has scored endorsement deals with Calvin Klein, Reese’s, Reebok, and Beats by Dre. In August of last year, the candy brand Reese’s launched a collection of hoodies, tees, hats, and jerseys with the star.

An estimated net worth nearing $2 million keeps Reese financially well off compared to most, but recent comments she made about living beyond her means raised some eyebrows and led to a wave of online criticism.

After Angel Reese’s comments about her WNBA salary went viral, many users took to social media to express their opinions. Some even suggested that she should change her lifestyle to align with her earnings. A user on X bluntly remarked, “Then move… if the math doesn’t add up. Make it work.” Others shared similar sentiments, noting that Reese had opted to live in a costly apartment. One commenter pointed out, “If your salary can’t cover the rent, maybe you shouldn’t have signed that lease.”

A harsher critic remarked, “She probably picked one of the most expensive places in the city. Clearly, budgeting isn’t her strong suit.” Meanwhile, some noted her endorsement deals, with one person saying, “Sure, but those endorsements more than make up for it. Am I supposed to feel bad for her?”

Some saw it less as a complaint and more as a subtle boast. “She’s not complaining; she’s flexing, and everyone is missing it,” another user speculated.

Angel Reese’s $8,000 in rent, on the other hand, is miles apart from the average rent in Chicago, which, according to Apartments.com, stands at approximately $1,847-19 percent higher than the national average. One of the most expensive cities in the United States, Chicago further puts Reese’s financial troubles into perspective with the high cost of living.

On a larger scale, the WNBA has gained popularity. This 2024 season, viewership and attendance reached an all-time high, with ESPN-platformed game viewership up 170% over last year. The surge in digital consumption and merchandise sales increased more than 600% from last season. That could give players like Reese more clout as they seek higher pay in future seasons.

Notwithstanding this economic challenge, Reese made it known how much she loves the game: “I play the game I love, not for the money; I play because I genuinely love basketball,” she said.

The seventh pick overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese has already recorded a record-setting season for rebounds in one season in the league. Off the court, Reese is the voice behind the podcast Unapologetically Angel, where she remains open to sharing her experiences on and off the court.