A recent player poll by The Athletic revealed that Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark is seen by most WNBA players as the league’s future face. Clark secured 53.8% of the votes in the survey, easily outpacing other contenders.
However, basketball legends like Sheryl Swoopes and Gilbert Arenas believe another player is making a strong case Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. According to them, Reese’s remarkable brand appeal and wide array of endorsements may ultimately position her as the most marketable and highest-earning WNBA star ever.
Arenas highlighted that while JuJu Watkins may rival Reese in talent and charisma, Reese’s commercial reach gives her a unique edge. “When you’re selling a product, I’m going to Angel Reese,” he said on his podcast. “She can promote it in so many ways that’s what matters.”
Despite ranking just fourth in the survey with 6.4% of the votes, Reese’s endorsement portfolio speaks volumes. She’s partnered with top brands like Amazon, Calvin Klein, Beats by Dre, Goldman Sachs, Sonic, and Bose. Notably, she became a Hershey’s ambassador with her own “Reese’s Pieces” line and landed McDonald’s first-ever national meal collaboration with a female athlete, the “Angel Reese special.”
Backing up the marketing argument is her recent cover appearance on NBA 2K26, becoming the face of the WNBA edition. NBA 2K GM Zak Armitage explained that the brand chose Reese for her boldness, confidence, and influence both on and off the court. “She’s inspired the next generation and helped grow the WNBA’s audience.”
While Caitlin Clark may lead in peer recognition, Reese’s off-court influence is undeniable. As Swoopes pointed out, having a savvy team ready to seize every branding opportunity gives Reese a serious edge in the long run.
In the same player poll, USC standout JuJu Watkins came second with 17.9%, followed by Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers (14.1%), and A’ja Wilson (3.8%) rounding out the top five.
Ultimately, deciding who represents the WNBA’s future may depend on your criteria whether it’s on-court impact or commercial magnetism. But if branding power is the measure, Angel Reese is already in elite company.
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