Standing before reporters after Chicago Sky’s morning practice, Reese’s voice was steady, but her message carried the force of an earthquake:
“I WILL NEVER be bought by billionaires like you. I am not for sale — I stand with the people of the Chicago Sky against corporate greed, sexism, and exploitation.”
The press room fell silent for several seconds before a wave of shocked murmurs swept through. Within minutes, social media exploded — #StandWithAngel, #BillionairesOutOfSports, and #SkyStrong began trending worldwide.
Insiders say Musk’s proposal was more than just a standard endorsement. It included a lifetime supply of Tesla vehicles, equity shares in the company, and an entire marketing campaign positioning Reese as the “face” of Tesla’s push into sports sponsorships. Had she accepted, it would have been the largest known endorsement deal in women’s sports history.
But for Reese, the decision wasn’t about the money. She cited what she called “a dangerous pattern of billionaires trying to own athletes’ voices and identities”, vowing instead to use her platform to champion fair pay, racial equity, and the independence of women in professional sports.
Musk has yet to respond directly, though a vague post appeared on his X account just hours later: “Some people just don’t understand value.”
Love her or hate her, Angel Reese has once again proved she’s willing to go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in business — and win the battle on her terms.