Unwanted by the Minnesota Lynx, a headline-making rookie is impressing so far with the Chicago Sky as she also has eyes on a different sport.
Angel Reese, just a week into her WNBA career, has already set a WNBA record. With 12 offensive rebounds in her first two games, she became the first rookie to ever record that statistic. She had 11 points and nine total rebounds as the Chicago Sky claimed its first win of the season Saturday in a 83-75 defeat of the Dallas Wings.
On Tuesday, Reese announced that she has a minority ownership stake in the DC Power FC women’s soccer team that will compete in the USL Super League that begins play this coming August. Reese is a Maryland native.
Chicago Sky Rookie Impressing So Far
Reese originally played collegiately for the Maryland before transferring to LSU and winning the 2023 NCAA title with the Tigers. She was drafted with the seventh overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft after Minnesota, which originally held the seventh pick, traded with the Chicago Sky in a flip-flop swap for the eighth pick.
The Lynx were apparently scared off by doubts whether Reese’s college exploits (she averaged 18.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game) would translate to the professional level. Minnesota was also possibly fearful of the baggage Reese might bring to Target Center after her well-publicized “feud” with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark during their college days.
However, in the early going, the Chicago Sky are thrilled. Reese has averaged 11.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest in 26 total on-court minutes. The Lynx instead selected Utah forward Alissa Pili at No. 8, who has mustered up an average of just 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest in 10 minutes of play.
Team Ownership Won’t Affect Reese’s Time with Chicago Sky
Reese, who’s Chicago Sky host the defending WNBA Eastern Conference champion New York Liberty on Thursday, announced her ownership stake in the Washington, D.C.-based women’s soccer team in a statement that read:
“I want to help grow women’s sports and elevate female athletes across the board. We’re taking over, and I’m honored to be able to support Power FC and invest in women’s soccer in the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) community.”
In a follow-up statement on X, formerly Twitter, Reese said:
“So grateful & blessed for this new ownership! Looking forward to creating new opportunities for women in professional soccer. I’ve always had to desire to invest in a local team as a Maryland native!”
The USL Super League will begin play in August as a first-tier women’s soccer league after receiving the blessing of the U.S. Soccer Federation to play on the same plane as America’s established first-tier league, the National Women’s Soccer League.
DC Power FC will work as a partner with the city’s top-tier men’s team, D.C. United, of Major League Soccer. Reese was the first individual person to be formally announced as a part-owner of the new club. Jason Levien, D.C. United’s CEO and co-chair, said in a statement of Reese’s investment:
“Angel’s decision to be a founding investor alongside us in Power FC is groundbreaking. As a Maryland native, Angel is so passionate about being a catalyst for positive change in women’s sports in the DMV as well as globally while inspiring the next generation of female athletes. We’re looking forward to her partnership in the boardroom as an equity partner.”
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tom is the WNBA Content Manager for Total Apex Sports. He is also well versed in covering MLB, NFL, NHL, as well as MLS and EPL.
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