WNBA fans call out glaring double standard after Angel Reese’s clueless response to Paige Bueckers bet




Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese doesn't care about the PR damage control the WNBA is currently going through.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: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?"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.
Reported by 5 outlets — Fox News Latest, Chicago Sun-Times, Seattle Times. See all sources ↓
The WNBA posted a video showing Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers making a $400 bet on their upcoming game. After fans noticed, the league deleted the post and said it missed the mark. The players will not be punished for the bet.
Why it matters
It shows how sports leagues handle gambling-related content and highlights concerns about double standards in enforcing rules. Fans worry that promoting bets could undermine the integrity of the game.
- What did the WNBA post and then delete?
- A video of Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers making a $400 bet on their game.
- Will the players be punished for the bet?
- No, a source said they will not face punishment.
- Why did fans criticize the league?
- They said the league showed a double standard by promoting a bet while claiming to oppose gambling.
How outlets are framing the same story
These are the main editorial angles found across reporting. Use them to quickly compare what different outlets emphasize, omit, or question.
Some outlets stress fan backlash and accuse the league of hypocrisy, while others focus on the league's apology and deletion of the post. A few add details about the lack of punishment or describe the bet as trivial compared to the players' earnings.
- Coverage cardFraming signal1AngleScouting report
Fans accuse the league of hypocrisy for promoting a bet while enforcing anti‑gambling rules.
Sources1TypeAngleFox News Latesthighlights fan blast over hypocrisy
- Coverage cardFraming signal2AngleScouting report
The league said the video missed the mark and deleted it, but will not punish the players.
Sources2TypeAngleChicago Sun-Timessays players will not be punished per AP source
Fox News Lateststates league admitted video missed the mark
- Coverage cardFraming signal3AngleScouting report
The $400 bet is described as trivial compared to the players’ earnings.
Sources1TypeAngleFox News Latestcalls the amount couch‑cushion change
- Coverage cardFraming signal4AngleScouting report
The post was quickly deleted, but users captured the video before removal.
Sources1TypeAngleSeattle Timesreports deletion of post showing the wager