BREAKING: Angel Reese Fans Are FURIOUS About What Happened
The Chicago Sky shocked the basketball world this week when they announced that only two of their upcoming home games would be moved to the massive United Center. The reason? Both games are against the Indiana Fever—and Caitlin Clark.
The Chicago Sky shocked the basketball world this week when they announced that only two of their upcoming home games would be moved to the massive United Center. The reason? Both games are against the Indiana Fever—and Caitlin Clark.
The decision lit a firestorm online. Angel Reese, the Sky’s most hyped rookie, was reportedly livid. “They watch for me too!” she allegedly said in frustration. Her fans quickly rallied behind her, accusing the organization of disrespect and favoritism. After all, Reese is a star in her own right—one of the most followed WNBA players on social media, and a viral sensation during her college career.
But behind the scenes, the Sky’s move wasn’t personal—it was business. Cold, calculated, and based entirely on hard numbers. And those numbers are painting a harsh picture.
The Reality of Revenue
Let’s start with the facts. The United Center, home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, can seat over 21,000 fans—more than double the 10,000 capacity of Wintrust Arena, the Sky’s usual home. Last season, Reese’s games averaged under 9,000 attendees. In comparison, games featuring Caitlin Clark drew crowds that smashed WNBA records, increasing league attendance by 36% and contributing to over 25% of the WNBA’s revenue.
In short, Clark’s presence is so powerful, she’s essentially become the league’s economic engine.
So when the Sky chose to move only the games against Clark’s Indiana Fever to a bigger venue, it wasn’t because they didn’t respect Angel Reese—it’s because Caitlin Clark sells tickets, and lots of them.
A League-wide Shift
It’s not just the Sky. Six other WNBA teams have moved their home games against the Fever to NBA-sized venues. The Connecticut Sun are playing at TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics. The Washington Mystics relocated their games to Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena. Even the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings have jumped on board.
Each decision adds millions in ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, and parking revenue. In fact, just the Sky’s two games at United Center are projected to bring in $4 million more than they would have at Wintrust.
Meanwhile, not a single team has opted to move or upgrade their venue for an Angel Reese game—unless Caitlin Clark is also playing.
The Emotional Toll on Angel
Understandably, Reese is hurt. She has poured herself into promoting the WNBA, proudly declaring in interviews,“I’ll look back in 20 years and say—people watch women’s basketball because of me, too.”
But the league, for now, is moving to the beat of a different drum—and that drum is Caitlin Clark.
Despite all of Reese’s promotional efforts and social media success, her in-game numbers and attendance draw haven’t yet matched the hype. Her fans may be loyal, but the crowds simply haven’t followed the same way they have for Clark.
When Clark comes to town, ticket prices triple. Merchandise flies off shelves. Teams are forced to rethink their entire venue strategies. When Reese plays? Attendance hovers around the league average—and ticket prices barely budge.
A Wake-Up Call or a Breaking Point?
This is the uncomfortable truth Angel Reese and her supporters must confront: this isn’t about Instagram followers or viral tweets. It’s about impact on the court and at the box office.
The WNBA isn’t a charity. It’s a professional league in dire need of revenue growth. Teams are making decisions based on who puts fans in the seats, not who garners likes online.
And while Reese continues to build her brand off the court, analysts and fans alike are urging her to focus on improving her game. With more consistent performances, stronger stats, and real-time influence on winning, she could absolutely become the kind of player that fills an NBA arena.
The blueprint is in front of her—Caitlin Clark created it.
The Bigger Picture
The rise of Clark has exposed a broader truth within the WNBA: a new two-tier system is emerging. One where most players perform in traditional arenas, while a select few—like Clark—are considered box office gold, drawing NBA-sized crowds and breaking records before even finishing their rookie year.
This dynamic may not seem fair, but it reflects basic market economics.
So where does Angel Reese go from here?
She can keep calling out the perceived disrespect. Or she can channel her frustration into growth—on the court, where it counts most.
Because in the WNBA, respect isn’t given for free. It’s earned through results, both on the scoreboard and in the stands. And until Reese matches Clark’s impact in those areas, the arena lights may keep shining a little brighter when the Fever come to town.
