Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream remains unfazed by the public relations challenges the WNBA is currently tackling. Recently, on Wednesday, the WNBA faced harsh criticism after it posted, then removed, a video featuring Reese and Dallas Wings’ player Paige Bueckers. This incident inadvertently highlighted a sensitive issue in professional sports: gambling.
The video showcased Reese and Bueckers agreeing to a $400 bet before their game in Arlington. Following the Atlanta Dream’s tight 82-81 victory, Reese dismissed the controversy when asked about the bet. ‘Yeah, I’ll be requesting my Apple Pay after this,’ Reese commented postgame.
Critics questioned whether such banter would be tolerated in leagues like the NBA.
Furthermore, there was speculation on whether players like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham would have been treated the same. Criticism also pointed to past incidents involving gambling discussions in sports. One critic noted, ‘[Reese] only admitted it because it was filmed, who knows what other games she bet on?’ Another added, ‘What would the WNBA have done if it was Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham making a similar $400 wager instead of Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers?’
The controversy gains significance due to the WNBA’s strict anti-gambling stance. Under Section 5(c) of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are prohibited from making wagers on league games. Violations can lead to severe penalties, including fines, suspensions, or permanent bans, to ensure the league’s integrity.
The video prompted immediate concerns over possible breaches of the league’s anti-gambling policy. In response, the WNBA released a statement that downplayed the incident as a ‘lighthearted exchange’ and confirmed no disciplinary actions would follow. ‘While the social media post was intended to be lighthearted, WNBA players are well aware of the league’s policies prohibiting betting on WNBA games and receive training every year reinforcing those policies,’ the statement explained.
OutKick requested a comment on the decision-making process but has yet to receive a response. The league stated, ‘We recognized that the post missed the mark, removed it shortly after publication, and addressed the matter internally. We will also use this opportunity to reemphasize to the players that discussions about wagering on WNBA games, even as jokes, can have negative consequences.’
Deleting the video managed an immediate PR issue, but it also highlighted the league’s challenging situation in maintaining its standards.