With 1 Simple Word, LSU's Angel Reese Just Taught a Brilliant Lesson in Power
My favorite quote: "I don't want anything in my life to be easy." LSL player Angel Reese announced her plans to turn pro to the WNBA in an interview with a sports-related brand, not a traditional announcement, but in Vogue. The business of sports has changed significantly since Reese began her college career, with a top rookie in the WNA expected to make $75,000 for the season depending on when she is drafted. However, her starting salary would be even lower due to the fact that she is not expected to be the #1 pick, and her starting wage would be lower than expected. She is likely to make more money from endorsements and other basketball-adjacent pursuits than she will from playing in the league itself. Additionally, Reese could benefit from the larger fan base at LSU than most WNBA teams and the availability of private jet flights to games, a rare occurrence in WNBA games.
Published : a month ago by Bill Murphy Jr. in Business
Yes, it might have been more expected for any college athlete to announce that they were turning pro in an interview with a sports-related brand, or by themselves on Twitter. But Reese made her announcement in Vogue. (Or, on its website.)
But the bigger issue is simply that the business of sports -- and thus Reese's potential earning power and star power -- has changed radically, even in the few years since she began her college career.
A top rookie in the WNBA can expect to make $75,000 for the season depending on when she is drafted. Reese isn't expected to be the #1 pick, so her starting salary would be even lower.
This is why so many WNBA players play overseas as well (often for more money), or have other business interests. And, Reese is likely to make a lot more money from endorsements and other basketball-adjacent pursuits than she will from playing in the WNBA itself.
That's the sort of thing she can build up by appearing in and being associated with Vogue, much more than if she'd chosen a more traditional sports-related outlet to make her announcement.
Now, I really had to squint as an outsider to see if I could make a logical case for why going to the WNBA at all makes sense for Reese, when she still has college eligibility at LSU.
Also, I think you can make the case that combined with the bigger fan base at LSU than for most WNBA teams, and the availability of things like private jet flights to games (a thing at LSU, but a rarity in the WNBA), she might have an easier and more enjoyable experience by adding another year of college.
Not that playing for coach Kim Mulkey is any day at the beach, according to reports, but still. Anyway, this is where I come back to my favorite quote from her announcement interview:
Anyway, women's sports have taken off. This year's NCAA women's tournament has had much better ratings than in years past. But sometimes there's an opportunity to transcend whatever role society sees you in, find something bigger, and claim the power for yourself.
And maybe the first step toward growing beyond it is just to decide you want it to happen, and then stand up and make an announcement.
Topics: Louisiana State University, Academia