{"id":392353,"date":"2026-07-30T18:48:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/392353\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T18:48:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:48:19","slug":"wnba-issues-statement-on-angel-reese-betting-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/392353\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA issues statement on Angel Reese betting video"},"content":{"rendered":"

The WNBA went all in on Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers appearing to wager on their game before realizing it was probably a bad idea.<\/p>\n

Before Wednesday night\u2019s matchup between the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings, the\u00a0WNBA posted a video on social media that appeared<\/a>\u00a0to place a personal $400 wager<\/a> on whose team would win the game. Considering the clear line that pro sports leagues typically draw at players betting on their own games, the WNBA choosing to promote it seemed like a curious decision.<\/p>\n

LMAOO THEY DELETED https:\/\/t.co\/1VnX0tUEh2<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZNQAvHLJZD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 correlation (@nosyone4) July 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Shortly after promoting the video, however, the WNBA did think better of it and deleted the social media post. Thursday afternoon, a WNBA spokesperson issued a statement on the since-deleted video.<\/p>\n

WNBA issued a statement, saying it recognized the since-deleted X post that appeared to promote a bet between Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese \u201cmissed the mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Full statement: pic.twitter.com\/4Z7reoM7Kg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) July 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the social media post was intended to be lighthearted, WNBA players are well aware of the league\u2019s policies prohibiting betting on WNBA games and receive training every year reinforcing those policies. We recognized that the post missed the mark, removed it shortly after it was published, and addressed the matter internally,\u201d the statement reads. \u201cWe will also use this as an opportunity to reemphasize with the players involved that conversations about wagering on WNBA games, even when intended as a joke, can have negative consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

This one shouldn\u2019t fall on Cathy Engelbert, since the commissioner isn\u2019t the person posting and sharing videos from the WNBA\u2019s social media accounts. But it\u2019s just another example of the WNBA struggling to sidestep any potential controversy or bad optics.<\/p>\n

Betting of any kind is strictly prohibited by the WNBA\u2019s CBA, which states any wagering could lead to a fine, suspension or disqualification at the sole discretion of the commissioner.<\/p>\n

Section 5(c) of the new WNBA states, \u201cAny player found by the Commissioner after a hearing to have been guilty of wagering (directly or indirectly), or of offering or attempting to wager, money or anything of value on the outcome, score, or any other aspect of any WNBA Competition shall, in the sole discretion of the Commissioner, be subject to a fine, suspension, and\/or dismissal and disqualification from any further association with the WNBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are Reese and Bueckers going to be penalized? Probably not. The WNBA already looks bad for promoting the wager, but the league would look even worse if they promoted the wager as a fun moment and then punished Reese or Bueckers for it.<\/p>\n

Realistically, players in all leagues are probably making private wagers with each other. Reese and Bueckers making a $400 bet isn\u2019t the start of some larger betting scandal that will tarnish the league. But any league promoting its players betting on a game they\u2019re playing in is going to be a bad look. And somehow, the WNBA wasn\u2019t immediately aware of that.<\/p>\n

\t