The WNBA is under fire after its social media team posted and quickly deleted a video showing stars Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese making a $400 wager on a game.
The clip violated league rules prohibiting players from betting on league competitions.
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The incident occurred during the WNBA All-Star Weekend, where the two players agreed on the friendly bet ahead of their Wings-Dream matchup.
Despite being a casual gesture, the league's publicizing of the wager drew backlash due to Section 5(c) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which bans wagering on league game outcomes.
Fans and commentators criticized the league for promoting behavior it officially forbids. The video was posted on the WNBA's official channels but was removed after widespread online reaction.
The deletion only fueled further attention to the clip.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert now faces a dilemma on whether to discipline the players or overlook the incident, given that the league itself shared the content.
On-Court Rivalry Intensifies
The rivalry between the two players extended on-court during the Wings-Dream game in Arlington, Texas.
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Reese and Bueckers, who are close friends off the court, exchanged heated words during the first quarter after a defensive play by Bueckers.
Reese drove at Bueckers, but Bueckers held her ground and forced a turnover, then celebrated with enthusiastic clapping.
Reese approached Bueckers, and the two exchanged words but no technical fouls were issued. Atlanta narrowly won the game 82-81.
Reese finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block, outperforming Bueckers' 16 points, four rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block, according to Athlon Sports.
Despite their on-court intensity, Bueckers has described Reese as a great competitor and close friend. Their friendly relationship was evident during the All-Star Weekend prior to the game.
Public reaction to the betting video was harsh, with critics highlighting the league's contradictory actions in promoting and then enforcing betting prohibitions.
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Fox Sports host Clay Travis commented on the league's poor judgment in posting the video, while fans questioned the league's consistency in applying rules.
