Patrick Bet-David Shreds Angel Reese’s Strike Threat: “You’re Not Caitlin Clark!”
In a headline-grabbing moment that lit up social media, Angel Reese—fresh off her transition from college hoops royalty to WNBA rookie—declared that players could “sit out” if they don’t get paid what they “deserve.” But before the digital applause could settle, entrepreneur and media mogul Patrick Bet-David dropped a truth bomb so loud, the internet is still echoing.
And his message? “Be grateful Caitlin Clark hasn’t gotten injured—because she’s the only reason this league is still standing.”
The Strike Threat That Sparked a Firestorm
During an Instagram Live session, Reese opened up about her $74,000 WNBA rookie salary, saying it doesn’t even cover her rent in Chicago. She hinted at a player strike if things don’t change. “If y’all don’t give us what we want, we’ll sit out,” she warned, referring to negotiations for better pay and benefits.
Sounds bold. But Patrick Bet-David wasn’t buying it.
With receipts, business logic, and a dose of ruthless sarcasm, PBD took to his platform to dismantle Reese’s argument—and he didn’t hold back.
“You Better Pray Caitlin Clark Stays Healthy”
Bet-David made it clear: Caitlin Clark isn’t just the biggest thing in women’s basketball—she is the thing. Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has fueled record-breaking TV viewership, sold-out arenas, skyrocketing merchandise sales, and actual mainstream buzz.
“If Caitlin Clark gets injured,” he warned, “this league folds.”
Let’s not forget: Clark is averaging 1.2 million viewers per game when broadcast nationally. That’s a 170% increase from the previous season. Fever games are packed. Indiana’s local economy alone has seen a $36 million boost from her presence.
By contrast, Angel Reese—despite a strong college brand and impressive NIL success—is still struggling to convert her fame into consistent on-court performance.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s break down the business side that Bet-David and his team threw in Angel Reese’s face:
WNBA Revenue (2023): Approx. $200 million
Annual Losses: Around $40–50 million, every year
Revenue Shared with Players: 9.3% (vs. the NBA’s 50%)
Average WNBA Salary: $74,000 (rookie scale)
Compare that to the NBA’s $11 billion revenue, the NFL’s $17 billion, and MLB’s $11 billion, and the picture becomes crystal clear: the WNBA is operating at a loss and being carried by the NBA.
So when Reese—barely five minutes into her pro career—threatens a strike, it’s not just tone-deaf. It’s business delusion.
As Bet-David put it: “In the real world, businesses losing millions don’t hand out raises. They hand out pink slips.”
From NIL Queen to WNBA Reality Check
Reese’s frustration likely stems from the massive pay cut she took after college. At LSU, she pulled in an estimated $1.8 million in NIL money through deals with Reebok, PlayStation, McDonald’s, and more. Now, she’s locked into a 4-year, $324,000 WNBA rookie deal, which breaks down to around $81,000 per year.
So yes, compared to her college days, this is a downgrade. But that’s not a fault of injustice—it’s the economic structure of a league still in survival mode.
Caitlin Clark: Building a Legacy Without the Drama
While Reese fumes on Instagram, Caitlin Clark is quietly building one of the most iconic rookie campaigns in sports history.
She’s not throwing tantrums. She’s not threatening walkouts. She’s not blaming the league. She’s simply showing up, putting on a show, and changing the game.
She’s inked a $28 million Nike deal, made history as the first player since Michael Jordan to get a signature Wilson basketball, and is shattering every record in sight. She’s made the WNBA must-watch television, all while keeping her head down and her game tight.
In contrast, Reese’s critics argue she’s more focused on branding than basketball—more TikTok than hardwood. And let’s be honest, if you’re going to threaten to shut down the league, at least make your layups.
Veterans, Jealousy, and the League’s Future
The Caitlin Clark Effect has also exposed some deep cracks within the WNBA player base.
Rather than rally around the woman who’s driving unprecedented interest in the league, some veterans and rising stars are throwing shade. Is it professional jealousy? A fear of being overshadowed? Maybe. But as Bet-David brutally pointed out, it’s not just bad optics—it’s bad strategy.
“This should be the moment where the entire league circles the wagons and celebrates what’s working,” he said. “Instead, some players are acting like Caitlin is the villain.”
Let’s get real: you don’t attack your MVP just because you’re not the one wearing the crown.
What Happens If They Actually Strike?
Bet-David posed a savage hypothetical: what if Angel Reese and others actually sat out? Would the league collapse?
His answer: Nope. The NBA might throw a party.
Less payroll. Less PR drama. Fewer operating losses.
One of his team members even joked that the WNBA makes more money by not playing because they avoid the costs that pile up during the season.
Think about that.
And Reese wants more money? From what profit pool?
Progress Takes Time—and Profit
No one is arguing that WNBA players don’t deserve more. The league should absolutely aim for pay growth, improved facilities, charter flights, and expanded marketing.
But progress requires profit.
As one guest on Bet-David’s show bluntly said, “You can’t ask for a bigger slice of the pie if the pie doesn’t exist.”
The WNBA is on the cusp of something great—but it’s Caitlin Clark, not a strike threat, that’s making it happen.
Final Thoughts
Angel Reese may have been the queen of college basketball, but in the pros, it’s a different world. You don’t get to set the terms when the league is losing millions. And you definitely don’t throw around strike talk when the person keeping your paycheck alive is the very player you’re side-eyeing.
The truth is uncomfortable, but it’s necessary: Caitlin Clark is the WNBA’s lifeline.
She’s the reason fans are watching. She’s the reason the merch is flying off shelves. She’s the reason there’s even a future to fight for.
So maybe it’s time for Reese—and the rest of the league—to stop talking about what they’re owed, and start talking about how to build something worth paying for.
Because at the end of the day, basketball is a business, and Caitlin Clark is the only one acting like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO2yvssNgPg
