WNBA player Angel Reese was sat courtside at Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in New York as she watched Minnesota Lynx beat New York Liberty to win their fifth WNBA title

 

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Angel Reese made quite an impression at Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

The Chicago Sky forward was seated courtside, watching as Napheesa Collier’s Lynx secured their fifth WNBA championship, overcoming Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart’s Liberty.

While her presence at the game wasn’t unexpected, it was her bold outfit choice that really stole the spotlight.

She donned high heels, jean shorts, and a top that uniquely combined Collier’s Lynx jersey with Stewart’s Liberty jersey, stitched together.

It seemed Reese’s fashion statement was a nod to her support for both league icons during their pinnacle moment.

Reese shared a video with her fans where she showcased the dual-themed jersey, saying, “Hey guys, I’m at the WNBA Finals,” and added, “I got Minnesota and New York because we’re so Unrivaled.

But this is a great environment. Everybody lit in here! ” Her gesture was well-received by fans, with one commenting, “I’m glad she can be at the game and enjoy herself. Cant wait to see how her Year 2 is after playing more in Unrivaled.”

One fan exclaimed: “Giving Mamma Kelce vibes! Get it!” Yet, some followers were baffled by Reese’s choice to don WNBA Finals team jerseys, arguing she was either making the event about herself or committing an almost sacrilegious act as a rival player flaunting another team’s colours, and that too, not one but two squads.

Reese throwing on kits from both Collier and Stewart is logical due to her efforts to hype up Unrivaled, a 3-vs-3 b-ball league showcasing top-tier WNBA talent.

The motive behind Unrivaled, a brainchild of the pair, was to boost WNBA players’ earnings outside of their regular season wages.

Players from the WNBA often head overseas to play in European leagues, as those opportunities typically offer significantly higher paychecks compared to their WNBA salaries.

Reports indicate that athletes can earn at least $100,000 for playing abroad, a sum that far surpasses their earnings from a WNBA season.

Alex Bazzell, the head of Unrivaled, shared insights with *Front Office Sports* about the importance of major broadcasters like TNT Sports investing in the up-and-coming league.

“We have an obligation to the players to build the most highly competitive product we can and the best business we can because they’re all owners in this business,” Bazzell explained.

“Having the freedom to explore the open market and determine the best partner for us was everything,” said a representative, emphasizing the significance of securing the right opportunities.

Angel Reese is one of 30 WNBA stars set to be featured in the league, alongside notable names like Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, and many more.

This lineup showcases a diverse range of talent, positioning the league for greater visibility and impact.