Angel Reese Sparks Debate Over Finances After Celebrating Her Mother's Birthday With A Shocking Gift

Angel Reese has once again sparked a major debate over her finances after revealing she wants her mother to retire from working during a new podcast episode.

The Chicago Sky basketball player has been a trending topic since her national championship win with the LSU Tigers in 2023. Her attitude, style, and impressive rebounding ability on the court attracted many eyes, which launched the 22-year-old into superstardom.

Since becoming an NCAA champion, Reese has garnered several sponsorships—her latest being a special meal deal with McDonald's, the world's largest fast-food restaurant. Although the details of Reese's deal haven't been disclosed, one can only assume she collected a hefty check, which prompted her to do something special for her mother.

During a recent episode of her podcast, Angel Reese surprised her mom with the dream of a lifetime, which caused quite a stir on social media.

Reese has always credited her mother (also named Angel Reese) for her drive on the basketball court. Both of the WNBA players' parents knew their way up and down the hardwood.

Reese's mother played at the University of Maryland before joining a professional team in Luxembourg. “I used to go to my mom’s games when I was younger," the Chicago Sky power forward said in 2023.

She praised her mom for being "independent" as a single parent, saying, “she molded that into me," before reminding fans that she's the person she is today because of her mother.

On the latest episode of her podcast, "Unapologetically Angel," Reese had her mother on the show to celebrate her birthday. After spending much of the episode discussing Reese's rise to fame and life in the spotlight, Reese spent the final minutes telling her mom how much she meant to her.

The Bayou Barbie went on, reminding her listeners that it was her mother's birthday. However, before singing and celebrating with cake, Reese had to make a special announcement.

“Before we sing 'Happy Birthday,' you said that if your mortgage was paid off that you would retire or you won’t work,” she said. “You can pick if you want to work still, [but] your mortgage today has been paid.”

Reese explained to her mother that she wouldn't have to "worry about your mortgage no more" before telling her she could continue to work if she wanted to "keep yourself busy;" however, it wouldn't be necessary.

After the clip of Reese's special moment with her mother was shared online, people began chiming in, wondering if this was the smartest move for the young athlete.

"Is this the same person who said they couldn't afford to pay their rent?" someone asked on X, formerly Twitter.

"I thought she was complaining about being in debt, not making enough money, etc.," someone else posted. A third user also shared their response, saying Reese had to be "broke after that one" since she doesn't "get paid that much."

However, not all of the comments were negative.

Someone wrote, "She retired her mother at the age of 22," implying that Reese pulled off a major flex. Another user noted that the heartwarming interaction between the mother-daughter duo "made their day," especially since children "dream to give back everything their parents poured into them."

Reese was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky during the 2024 WNBA draft. According to SportRac, the rookie earned just over $73,000 for her first season.

However, thanks to sponsorships with Beats by Dre, Reeses, Cash App, and more, Reese said she considers that check a "bonus."

The baller also signed a lengthy contract with Reebok Basketball, headed by her mentor Shaquille O'Neal, which will bring her first signature shoe to stores in 2026.

In January 2025, she announced her special meal deal, "The Angel Reese Special," with McDonald's. The partnership, which includes a whopping quarter-pounder burger with barbecue sauce and bacon, is the franchise's first collaboration with a female professional athlete.

"The deals don't just stop in college," she said. "When you go to the pros, they continue, and I feel like they've grown even more. Now that I'm a pro, I can do so much more."

Women's basketball has become more popular than ever since the 2023 national championship game between LSU and Iowa.

In addition to Reese, the organization welcomed in several standout players, including Rickea Jackson, Kamilla Cardoso, Cameron Brink, and, of course, the record-breaking all-star Caitlin Clark.

In 2024, Reese addressed the role she's played in the sport's surge, saying she'll "go down in history" when things are all said and done.

"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," she said.

Since signing with Reebok, Reese has released custom merch and revealed a signature shoe is on the way.

In the past, she's spoken about why she chose to work with the brand instead of the several other companies who wanted to work with her, including Nike.

"One, they didn't have a women's basketball player [who was the] face," she said. "So, I wanted to be that."

She also referenced her close working relationship with Shaq, who also played at LSU prior to joining the NBA, before revealing the final reason, which was that the company understood her vision.

"They're letting me be the creator behind everything that I want to do," she explained. "I'm bringing Reebok back."