The WNBA was mercilessly criticized Wednesday after sharing, then deleting, a video featuring Reese and Wings player Paige Bueckers.The league's social media team inadvertently highlighted one of the most sensitive issues in professional sports: gambling.WNBA ADMITS CONTROVERSIAL BETTING VIDEO FEATURING ANGEL REESE, PAIGE BUECKERS 'MISSED THE MARK'Reese and Bueckers agreed to a $400 bet ahead of Wednesday's matchup in Arlington.After the Dream's narrow 82-81 win, Reese shrugged off the controversy when asked about the wager."Yeah, I’ll be requesting my Apple Pay after this," Reese said postgame.WATCH:Team Collier stands for the national anthem before the game against Team Clark during the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2025 on July 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.(NBAE via Getty Images)Critics questioned whether this kind of "lighthearted" banter would ever fly in leagues like the NBA.Others wondered whether Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham would've received the same treatment.
Just look at the firestorm surrounding Cunningham, then ask whether the sports media is holding Reese and Cunningham to the same standard.EX-FORDHAM BASKETBALL PLAYERS PERMANENTLY BANNED BY NCAA OVER ALLEGED GAME MANIPULATION BETTING SCHEME"[Reese] only admitted it because it was filmed, who knows what other games she bet on?" one critic wrote.Another chimed in: "I wonder what the WNBA would have done if it was Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham making a $400 wager on a game they are playing in instead of Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers?"Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream guards Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings as Bueckers drives in the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center on July 29, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.(Getty Images)Under Section 5(c) of the WNBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are strictly prohibited from placing wagers, directly, indirectly, or even as a side bet, on any league game.
Violations give the commissioner broad authority ...