Angel Reese Reveals Plans to Ignore the Media and Accept Fines in 2026
New Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese has no problems racking up fines from the WNBA office this year.
On April 6, the Chicago Sky traded Angel Reese to Atlanta in exchange for 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a second-round pick swap in 2028. The former LSU star spent her first two professional seasons with the Sky.
Early in her rookie 2024 season, Reese was vocal about her willingness to accept the "bad guy role" to grow the WNBA. Reese also pushed back against the narrative that Caitlin Clark was single-handedly changing women's basketball.
The two-time All-Star addressed her relationship with the media during an appearance on the "IMO" podcast co-hosted by former first lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson.
During the interview, Reese stated that she'll skip some media sessions and accept fines from the league (h/t Qwame Skinner of Awful Announcing): "The media has not always been great for me. And I’ll take a fine. I’ll catch a fine, especially in a WNBA. I’ll have a fine before I have to go to media and feel like my back is against the wall."
Reese was fined $1,000 for refusing to speak to the media after a 2024 game against the Indiana Fever. More memorably, the Sky suspended her for half a game against the Las Vegas Aces after openly criticizing the team. Reese had told the Chicago Tribune that she wouldn't settle "for the same (expletive)" in 2026.
Angel Reese Will Debut for Atlanta on May 10
(Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Reese will make her Dream regular season debut when they kick off their 2026 campaign with a road game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 10 (7 p.m. ET). After that, Atlanta will wrap up its brief road trip against the Dallas Wings on May 12.
Atlanta's first home game is against the Las Vegas Aces on May 17. As for the next installment of her rivalry with Caitlin Clark? The Dream and Fever will meet for the first time June 4 in Indianapolis.
Over her two seasons in Chicago, Reese averaged 14.1 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.