“I don’t even think that pays one of my bills.” Last year, the 2024 seventh overall pick Angel Reese was all about her WNBA salary being low. Certainly, it was nothing like the No. 1 NIL spot she celebrated through her journey at LSU with millions of net worth. To the W, she has brought the buzz, eyes, and sales despite only getting a 4 yr(s)/ $324,383 rookie contract. Still, her lavish lifestyle has been the centerpiece for many controversies.

The Chi-Town Barbie bought a new “dream car” as soon as she stepped in Chicago. Her vacations, purchases, buying a house for her mother, nothing has remained off the charts. Nevertheless, she understands the power of her voice and stage. And so, every time the Collective Bargaining Agreement has been discussed, she hasn’t stepped back from demanding “Pay us what you owe us.” 

The players opted out of the current CBA after Reese openly claimed, “If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out.” And so, Reese participated in the meeting set for the Thursday before the All-Star weekend, since the contract will end with the WNBA season in October. Calling the facts “disrespectful,” Reese also told ESPN’s Elle Duncan “It’s not about me. It’s for everybody else.” However, a latest quip by a parody account has been making round on the internet, leaving the WNBA world struggling to understand what she exactly meant.

According to the memes page BricksCenter, during the All-Star press conference, she was ‘asked’ about the salaries. Her response? “Y’all make $1400 a week, I make $1400 in 7 days.” The fake post might’ve been talking about her endorsements that allowed her to purchase a similar-ranged Dior bag back during the Paris Olympics. While the post may be a meme, it has certainly had some altering effects, especially given that the Sky star has been vocal about the low WNBA salaries.

She even promised to understand all the facets of the current CBA discussions and how relevant revenue percentages are to the players since the WNBA, like MLS, only shares 25% of the “Extra bonus” to its players. But the fans? They’re scratching their heads and tearing up with laughter.

Fans can’t stop laughing at viral Angel Reese meme

As one of the league’s brightest stars, Angel Reese has won legions of fans and naturally a fair-share of haters. Since stepping onto the scene, she’s been a target, a double-edged sword that comes with fame. And her latest remark didn’t help the narrative either. One fan wrote, “I think…I think that’s the same? Not sure.” Of course, a week has 7 days. However, the parody account clearly wanted to aim at Reese as the next fan also commented on the same line.

“That 1.8 GPA right there,” wrote the fan. Last year, LSU HC Kim Mulkey kept Reese out of the arena for an unknown reason. It being about the No. 5 forward, everyone thought it was the poor GPA amidst the fight between Flau’jae Johnson’s and her mother over a grammatical error. Further, a recent rumor of Reese deemed ineligible for the Wooden Award only added fuel to fire. 

Reese quashed those rumors. On her podcast, she revealed she had a hard time in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, which led her to step back to prevent the team from slowing down. Additionally, Reese said she “never had a 1.1 GPA,” but did not reveal her scorecard. She did graduate from LSU, which suggests that if ever she had any issues with her GPA, those days were past her. 

However, her reputation for being a little out of touch just won’t let up, as one fan teased, “I could see her saying this lol.” Another chimed in, “We’re joking, right? Right??” capturing the ongoing disbelief that follows Reese. It’s been anything but easy for Reese, despite racking up highlights and headlining endorsement deals. While some critics may cling to their doubts, Reese keeps grabbing the spotlight, proving whether it’s her play or the memes swirling around her, she’ll always give fans something to talk about.

Another fan, taking the viral quote literally, commented, “So you’re telling me I make the same thing as Angel Reese?” While the meme is fiction, the reality is eye-opening: Reese’s official 2025 WNBA salary clocks in at just $74,909, which breaks down to about $1,440 per week, remarkably close to the average worker in America.

The U.S. per capita personal income stands at $74,545 for 2025, meaning Reese, one of the most recognizable faces in the league, earns what the average American does in a year. The situation isn’t unique to Reese either. Her rival, Caitlin Clark, another superstar propelling record WNBA ratings and merch sales, is making just $78,066 in 2025 under her rookie contract, right in the same range.

Despite dominating headlines and driving revenue, both Reese and Clark’s league paychecks barely move the needle compared to what their star power delivers. This disservice isn’t lost on fans, who see elite talent being underpaid even as they become the faces of the league. It’s not just those two: nearly every WNBA player under the current pay structure earns well below their true market value, but the spotlight shines brightest, and the pay gap feels most absurd. Even with a joke that was meant to troll Reese, it further highlighted why the WNBA players need better pay.