**Breaking News: Angel Reese Calls Out Conservative for Comments on WNBA Players Sitting Out to Negotiate Higher Salaries**
*March 21, 2025*
In a fiery exchange that’s captured national attention, Angel Reese, one of the brightest stars in women’s basketball, has publicly called out a conservative commentator for suggesting that WNBA players should sit out games to demand higher salaries. The comments, which were made during a television interview, sparked widespread backlash from players, fans, and industry insiders alike. Reese, known for her outspoken stance on equality and social justice, did not hold back in her response, making it clear that she would not tolerate attempts to undermine the efforts of female athletes fighting for better compensation and working conditions.
### The Comment that Sparked the Firestorm
The controversy began when conservative pundit and former sports commentator, Bill Thompson, made an appearance on a popular news network and discussed the ongoing debate around the salary disparity between the WNBA and the NBA. Thompson suggested that WNBA players, who have long faced financial challenges and lesser pay compared to their male counterparts, could “sit out” their games as a way to pressure league executives and sponsors into negotiating higher salaries.
“Sometimes you have to take drastic action to get what you deserve,” Thompson said during the interview. “Maybe these WNBA players should consider sitting out games, showing they’re not going to just play for pennies, and demand higher salaries. It’s the kind of negotiation tactic that might get them the results they want.”
While Thompson’s comments were framed as a suggestion for WNBA players to take a bold stance on the issue, many viewed them as dismissive of the struggles women in sports have faced for decades. Sitting out games could be seen as a risky move, one that might ultimately harm the athletes’ own careers, and many felt the comment lacked an understanding of the larger issue at play: systemic inequality and gender-based pay disparity.
### Angel Reese’s Response
Angel Reese, who has been one of the most vocal advocates for women’s sports and gender equality, took to social media shortly after hearing Thompson’s remarks to express her frustration. The LSU standout and reigning Unrivaled tournament champion did not mince words in her response, calling out both Thompson’s suggestion and the broader attitudes towards women’s sports.
“To the people who think that the WNBA players should just sit out games to get a pay raise: maybe take a second to actually listen to what they’re saying before you talk,” Reese tweeted. “This isn’t about sitting out to make a point; it’s about making sure that women’s sports are taken seriously, and that includes being paid fairly for the hard work and dedication that we put into our craft. If you don’t understand that, maybe you should stop speaking on it.”
Reese’s comments have since gone viral, with supporters praising her for standing up for women’s athletes everywhere. Her call to “listen to the players” and understand their struggles reflects the growing sentiment that WNBA players are not just asking for higher salaries — they’re demanding respect, visibility, and an equitable platform.
The tweet received an outpouring of support from other athletes, fans, and advocates for women’s sports, many of whom have been vocal about the longstanding gender pay gap in sports. WNBA stars like Sabrina Ionescu, Sue Bird, and A’ja Wilson, along with other prominent voices in the sports world, have joined Reese in calling for fairer compensation for female athletes. Reese’s strong stance, paired with her platform as one of the rising stars in basketball, has made her one of the most powerful voices in the conversation about gender equality in sports.
### Why the Pay Gap Matters
The issue of unequal pay between male and female athletes is far from new, but it has gained increased attention in recent years. The WNBA has long been under scrutiny for its players’ relatively low salaries compared to their NBA counterparts, despite the fact that both leagues generate substantial revenue and both female and male athletes put in the same level of training, discipline, and dedication to their respective sports.
While WNBA players have been fighting for higher salaries and better working conditions for years, their efforts have often been met with resistance from league officials and media outlets, some of whom downplay the significance of the issue. In contrast, NBA salaries continue to soar, with top players earning millions of dollars annually in base salary, sponsorship deals, and other endorsements. WNBA players, on the other hand, are paid significantly less, often needing second jobs or endorsements outside of basketball just to make ends meet.
The disparity between the two leagues is stark. For example, in the 2023 season, the average WNBA salary was reported to be around $120,000, while NBA players earned a league-wide average of over $8 million. While there have been efforts to close the gap, such as the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed in 2020, the wage disparity remains an ongoing issue, with many female players and advocates pushing for more substantial changes.
Reese, who has a massive social media following and a rapidly growing fan base, has been at the forefront of pushing for more recognition and pay for women in sports. As someone who has experienced both the adoration of fans and the frustrations of being undervalued in a male-dominated industry, Reese’s voice carries significant weight.
### The Broader Conversation: Women’s Sports and Gender Equity
Reese’s response to Thompson is part of a broader movement within women’s sports to demand fair pay, greater media coverage, and more investment from sponsors. Female athletes are no longer content to accept the status quo, and they are increasingly using their platforms to call out the systems that perpetuate inequality.
One of the core arguments made by athletes like Reese is that women’s sports, including the WNBA, are often underfunded and under-promoted compared to their male counterparts. Despite their skills, dedication, and the growing popularity of women’s sports, female athletes frequently find themselves fighting for the same recognition that male athletes take for granted.
“Women athletes are constantly working harder to get the same opportunities and recognition, but we’re told it’s not enough,” Reese said in a follow-up post. “We’re asked to prove ourselves in ways that men never have to. It’s time to stop making excuses and start making change.”
Reese’s bold stance is resonating far beyond the basketball court. Her voice is part of a larger, ongoing conversation about the role of women in sports and the systemic barriers that have prevented them from achieving the same success and recognition as men. From the gender wage gap to the lack of media coverage for women’s sports, athletes like Reese are using their positions to advocate for change on a grand scale.
### The Response to Angel Reese’s Call-Out
The backlash to Thompson’s remarks has been swift, with many sports fans and commentators coming to Reese’s defense. Notable sports analysts, journalists, and even some NBA players have rallied behind Reese, applauding her for standing up for what’s right.
Some have also pointed out that Thompson’s suggestion was a form of “blame the players” rhetoric, shifting the responsibility from the league and its executives, who control the purse strings, to the athletes themselves. Critics argue that instead of sitting out games, WNBA players should be receiving the compensation they deserve based on their talent and contribution to the sport, not resorting to drastic measures to be heard.
In a recent social media post, NBA player Chris Paul, a longtime ally of the women’s basketball community, echoed Reese’s sentiments. “It’s not about sitting out. It’s about treating women’s sports with the respect they deserve and paying them for the value they bring to the game. Shout out to Angel Reese for using her platform to speak the truth.”
### Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Angel Reese and the WNBA
Angel Reese’s strong words have further solidified her position as one of the most influential athletes in women’s basketball. As a player who is already breaking barriers with her on-court performance, Reese is now using her voice to challenge the systems that have historically held back women in sports.
Her public stand against the inequality faced by WNBA players is just one chapter in a larger movement to reshape the landscape of women’s athletics. The momentum for gender equity in sports is building, and Reese’s fearless leadership is ensuring that the fight for equal pay and recognition will only continue to gain strength.
As the WNBA season progresses and more athletes like Angel Reese continue to speak out, it’s clear that change is on the horizon — and with Reese leading the charge, it’s only a matter of time before women’s sports receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.
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*Stay tuned for more updates on Angel Reese’s advocacy and the ongoing battle for equality in women’s sports.*
