Chicago Sky embracing their share of WNBA spotlight behind rookie Angel Reese - NBC Sports

Angel Reese takes a photo with a fan at a meet and greet.Angel Reese (Photo via @togethxr/TikTok)
There’s currently a debate going on over whether Angel Reese is really as popular as she wants fans to believe. Well, turns out she might be.

Recent comments from the Chicago Sky rookie in which she suggested she’s one of the reasons women’s basketball is on the rise saw her receive lots of criticism.

“People are talking about women’s basketball that you’d never would think would be talking about women’s basketball. People are pulling up to games. We’ve got celebrities coming to games [and] sold-out arenas just because of one single game,” she said earlier this week.

“And just looking at that, I’ll take that role. I’ll take the bad guy role, and I’ll continue to take that on and be that for my teammates, and I know I’ll go down in history.

“I’ll look back in 20 years and be like: ‘Yeah, the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person, it’s because of me too.’ And I want you to realize that. Like it’s just not cause of one person. A lot of us have done so much for this game.”

Angel Reese Drew An Unbelievable Line At An LSU Event

As mentioned above, there was some backlash from folks who don’t fancy her.  But a video has been brought to fans’ attention that shows people lining up to get a photo with her at an LSU meet-and-greet.

“‘Nobody cares about Angel Reese’ meanwhile this was one of her meet and greet lines last year,” the video’s caption reads.

Check it out below:

While she’s no Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese is undoubtedly one of the most popular females in sports right now and is also responsible for putting more eyes on the WNBA.

Meanwhile, the former Tigers star registered a double-double against the Washington Mystics on Thursday night. She scored 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists to help the Sky to their fourth win of the season.

How much money does Hailey Van Lith make in NIL? LSU point guard’s off field endorsements explored

Hailey Van Lith has emerged as one of the premier guards in women’s college basketball. The talented player transferred to LSU after starring at Louisville. Van Lith’s skills have also made her highly marketable. She is signed by Adidas on a lucrative sponsorship deal, a major brand in the sport looking to capitalize on her popularity.

 

Raking in the cash, Van Lith’s endorsement earnings are substantial. Her lucrative NIL deals with Adidas and other brands have made her one of the top earners in college basketball.

Colorado v LSUHailey Van Lith has signed some lucrative NIL deals with several major brands.

How much money does Hailey Van Lith make in NIL?

 

Hailey Van Lith has an On3 NIL Valuation of $565,000, ranking sixth in women’s college basketball. Through her lucrative Adidas deal and other endorsements, she earns a substantial income playing for LSU.

Tim Sullivan on X: "Worth a look: How Hailey Van Lith cashed in on her move from Louisville to LSU. https://t.co/kEMyfCNDoH" / X

Van Lith’s NIL portfolio is stacked. In 2021, she was signed by Dick’s Sporting Goods, one of the largest sporting goods retailers, as an NIL trailblazer when the opportunities were just emerging.

Although now commonplace, NIL deals with luxury brands were rare when Van Lith partnered with streetwear label Billionaire Girls Club. For International Women’s Day 2021, she was featured in a collaboration between the brand and Overtime that included hoodies and crop tees.

Van Lith also has NIL deals with Tigers NIL Store, Invesco QQQ, 94 Feet of Game, Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Sierato.

 

 

BOZICH | Is Hailey Van Lith to LSU from Kevin Durant playbook? | Louisville Sports | wdrb.com

 

How has the move from Louisville to LSU boosted Hailey Van Lith’s profile?

Hailey Van Lith’s blockbuster transfer from Louisville to LSU last offseason catapulted her profile and marketability to new heights.

The high-profile move from the Atlantic Coast Conference to the talent-rich Southeastern Conference significantly expanded Van Lith’s reach and visibility, aligning her with the passionate LSU fan base. Her social media following grew exponentially in the wake of the announcement as excitement built around her arrival in Baton Rouge.

WA native Hailey Van Lith returns to Seattle with Louisville women's basketball | The Seattle Times

 

Now boasting over 1.1 million followers across Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, Van Lith has maximized her fame and earning potential since joining the Tigers. The transfer to a high-level SEC program has cemented her status as one of the most recognizable and commercially successful athletes in women’s college basketball.

Van Lith’s transition to LSU has also been seamless thanks to the program’s strong support for women’s basketball and her relationship with coach Kim Mulkey. She has quickly become a cornerstone for the Tigers due to LSU’s investment in creating a contender and Mulkey’s proven ability to maximize talent.