The WNBA is once again dominating the headlines for the wrong reasons.
On Wednesday night, the WNBA's official social media page posted a video of Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers being asked about a $400 bet she made with Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese. They appeared to make a friendly wager during this year's WNBA All-Star Weekend. With that being said, there's a separate video that shows Reese holding up a few hundred-dollar bills while talking to Bueckers.
After the Dream defeated the Wings 82-81 on Wednesday night, Reese faced a question about her recent "conversation" with Bueckers. She essentially confirmed their wager with her response.
"I will be requesting her Apple Pay after this," Reese said during her postgame media availability.
Although a decision hasn't been made at this time, WNBA fans are calling for Bueckers and Reese to be suspended.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
"Wait… so WNBA, when are we fining and suspending Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers?" one fan commented.
"If history is any indication, the WNBA should already be preparing to suspend Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers immediately while it conducts a full investigation," a second fan added. "We now have a video admission... and separate footage appearing to show cash changing hands over a wager involving their own game."
"I know they were messing around, but if this was a professional league, they’d be banned for the rest of the season," another fan said. "They should be suspended at least five games each. You don’t mess around with gambling, especially not on your own team."
"Reason #556,779 of why the WNBA will never be taken seriously, publicly posting video of players betting on games should force a federal investigation. If this was the MLB or NFL they would be automatically banned for life," another social media user wrote.
What will the WNBA do?
If we just go by the WNBA's bylaws regarding gambling, Bueckers and Reese are now subject to discipline.
"Any 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," Section 5(c) states, via USA Today.
At the end of the day, professional sports leagues are supposed to be anti-gambling. If the WNBA wants to send a message, they'll either fine or suspend Bueckers and Reese.
