An angel named Reese appears to have taken an extended break from Instagram, which could be days, months, or even longer, although that’s unlikely. This comes after she faced a wave of online criticism for her New Year’s Eve outfit. It’s absurd for someone else to dictate how they dress, not to mention that Reese finds criticism from strangers online toe absurd.
Rather than delete comments or turn off notifications, she decided to take a break from social media platforms. Since her social media presence is her primary source of income, it’s unlikely she’ll be off social media for long. For now, her podcast “Unapologetically,” which airs every Thursday and features a variety of guests, will be her main connection to her fans. Angel Reese has been touted as a sponsor of a new rapper’s album. Reese’s influence in endorsements is undeniable, especially in today’s social media-driven world. She’s currently the face of Reebok sneakers, Reese’s chocolates, and has collaborations with Beats by Dre, Amazon, PlayStation, and more. At 22 years old and just one year into her WNBA career, that’s already impressive, and her impact is only expected to grow. 
Reese recently appeared in a promotional video for rapper Lil Baby’s new album “Wham,” which dropped today and has already topped the Spotify and Apple Music charts. In the video, she draws parallels between strength and dedication on the court, ending with the line, “Someone who works as hard as me like Lil Baby.” These lucrative endorsement deals are why Reese likely won’t be away from Instagram for long. Her six-figure earnings from sponsored posts far exceed her WNBA salary with the Chicago Sky. Even Shaquille O’Neal has called for WNBA salaries to reflect the value of players. Reese is still young, so perhaps this time off will help her rebalance. But with the new Unrivaled league kicking off on January 17, it’s hard to imagine her staying off social media much longer. Ultimately, though, the decision is hers. Going back to Lil Baby’s video, he has a song on his new album with GloRilla, who was also the latest guest on Reese’s “Unapologetically” podcast, so Reese’s relationship with Lil Baby could stem from his friendship with GloRilla. 
Angel Reese is playing in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled League. What’s certain is that the next time we’ll see Reese on the court will be in the new Unrivaled league, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, which will feature 36 WNBA players in its inaugural season. No, Caitlin Clark won’t be among those 36. The games will be played in a shorter, full-court format with four seven-minute quarters, and the teams have already been determined. Here’s Angel Reese’s team and the WNBA teams they’re currently playing for.
