Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream remains unfazed by recent PR challenges confronting the WNBA. On Wednesday, criticism poured in after the league’s social media team posted, then swiftly deleted, a video featuring Reese and Paige Bueckers from the Dallas Wings. This incident inadvertently spotlighted the sensitive issue of gambling in professional sports.
Controversial Betting Video The video revealed Reese and Bueckers agreeing to a $400 bet before their game in Arlington. Despite the Dream’s close 82-81 victory, Reese downplayed the bet-related controversy. “Yeah, I’ll be requesting my Apple Pay after this,” she commented postgame.
While some questioned whether such banter would be tolerated in other leagues like the NBA, others pondered if players like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham would face similar scrutiny. One critic suggested Reese’s admission raised questions about possible other bets, while another speculated on a different reaction if Clark and Cunningham had made the wager.
The WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement sternly prohibits players from betting on league games. Violations grant the commissioner the right to impose penalties, ranging from fines and suspensions to permanent bans, to maintain the league’s integrity.
After the controversy, the WNBA issued a statement clarifying the league’s anti-gambling stance. The deleted post was intended as “lighthearted,” the statement explained, adding that players receive annual training on these policies. The league acknowledged the post “missed the mark” and emphasized this incident as a reminder that wagering on WNBA games, even in jest, can have adverse effects.