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The WNBA has broken its silence on a controversial social media post featuring All-Stars Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream and reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
In the video, Reese and Bueckers were kicking back at an All-Star Weekend practice when Reese pulled out $400 in cash and proposed a bet on an upcoming game between the Dream and Bueckers’ Dallas Wings.
Before the two teams faced off on Wednesday night, the WNBA posted the video and then immediately deleted it after receiving backlash. Wagering on games violates league rules, and fans were quick to point that out. After the game, which the Dream won after an epic fourth-quarter comeback, Reese joked about the bet, saying, “I will be requesting her Apple Pay after this.”
MORE: WNBA suspends Seattle Storm co-owner for confrontation with Sophie Cunningham fans
On Thursday, the league issued a statement on the matter, acknowledging its mistake and saying it was meant to be a lighthearted joke gone wrong.
“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 league said in a statement. “We recognized that the post missed the mark, removed it shortly after it was published, and addressed the matter internally.
“We will also use this as an opportunity to reemphasize with the players involved that conversations about wagering on WNBA games, even when intended as a joke, can have negative consequences.”
The CBA explicitly states, “Any player found by the Commissioner after a hearing to have been guilty of wagering (directly or indirectly), or of offering or attempting to wager, money or anything of value on the outcome, score, or any other aspect of any WNBA Competition shall, in the sole discretion of the Commissioner, be subject to a fine, suspension, and/or dismissal and disqualification from any further association with the WNBA.”
So, technically, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has the sole discretion to impose any punishment on Reese or Bueckers if she chooses to do so. It will be interesting to see if anything comes from the poor lapse in judgment from the league and players, or whether it will be swept under the rug.
At the very least, a significant fine seems reasonable.
Jul 19, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Collier guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Team Collier forward Angel Reese (5) celebrate after defeating Team Clark in the 2025 WNBA All Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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In the video, Reese and Bueckers were kicking back at an All-Star Weekend practice when Reese pulled out $400 in cash and proposed a bet on an upcoming game between the Dream and Bueckers’ Dallas Wings.
Before the two teams faced off on Wednesday night, the WNBA posted the video and then immediately deleted it after receiving backlash. Wagering on games violates league rules, and fans were quick to point that out. After the game, which the Dream won after an epic fourth-quarter comeback, Reese joked about the bet, saying, “I will be requesting her Apple Pay after this.”
MORE: WNBA suspends Seattle Storm co-owner for confrontation with Sophie Cunningham fans
On Thursday, the league issued a statement on the matter, acknowledging its mistake and saying it was meant to be a lighthearted joke gone wrong.
“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 league said in a statement. “We recognized that the post missed the mark, removed it shortly after it was published, and addressed the matter internally.
“We will also use this as an opportunity to reemphasize with the players involved that conversations about wagering on WNBA games, even when intended as a joke, can have negative consequences.”
The CBA explicitly states, “Any player found by the Commissioner after a hearing to have been guilty of wagering (directly or indirectly), or of offering or attempting to wager, money or anything of value on the outcome, score, or any other aspect of any WNBA Competition shall, in the sole discretion of the Commissioner, be subject to a fine, suspension, and/or dismissal and disqualification from any further association with the WNBA.”
So, technically, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has the sole discretion to impose any punishment on Reese or Bueckers if she chooses to do so. It will be interesting to see if anything comes from the poor lapse in judgment from the league and players, or whether it will be swept under the rug.
At the very least, a significant fine seems reasonable.
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Jul 19, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Collier guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Team Collier forward Angel Reese (5) celebrate after defeating Team Clark in the 2025 WNBA All Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
