Angel Reese Stuns WNBA World: Chicago Sky Star’s Surprise Preseason Announcement

Angel Reese is heading into her third WNBA season with a spotlight that keeps getting brighter. The Chicago Sky star just watched her salary skyrocket from roughly $81,000 as a rookie to an estimated $390,000 thanks to the league’s new collective-bargaining agreement, which boosted the salary cap to $7 million and guaranteed players a 20 percent revenue share. Chicago is celebrating the moment by taking Reese on the road for history: the Sky will face the Phoenix Mercury on April 25 at Sioux Falls’ Sanford Pentagon, the first WNBA game ever played in South Dakota. Four days later the team returns to Wintrust Arena to host the Atlanta Dream before opening the regular season in Portland on May 9. The Sky hope Reese’s league-leading 12.6 rebounds per game and 23 double-doubles from 2025 translate into more wins after finishing 10-34 last year. Off the court, the 23-year-old forward is expanding her empire. Fresh off a fashion campaign with Victoria’s Secret and a signature partnership with Reebok, Reese rolled out a new merchandise line this month, teasing the drop to her 3-million-plus social-media followers with “New Merch Is Live” and a pink-and-white promo video. Reese’s profile is also surging internationally. She earned her first senior Team USA call-up and averaged 8.0 rebounds while helping the Americans sweep their FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying group 5-0, reinforcing her reputation as one of basketball’s elite board-crashers. Yet questions linger around the league’s ongoing CBA talks—negotiations that could shift scheduling and revenue even further. Reese has publicly backed a larger revenue split and stronger player benefits, telling reporters her focus is “making sure the next generation eats,” a stance that positions her as a leading voice in the labor conversation. Between her record-setting rebounding, booming brand deals, and front-line role in league economics, Angel Reese is shaping the WNBA’s future on every front. All eyes now turn to Sioux Falls, where the Sky’s preseason tip-off could mark the beginning of her biggest season yet.