💰 MONEY MOVES

ANGEL REESE’S PERFECT DAY

Everything is coming up Angel Reese!

This week, we got a FIRST LOOK at her signature shoe and NBA2k cover.

Last December, we discussed Reebok’s partnership with the WNBA, and this week, Reebok unveiled the Angel Reese 1 “diamond dust” colorway.

To boot, Reese will be the lone woman on the cover of NBA 2K26. She becomes the sixth WNBA player to be featured behind Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Sabrina Ionescu, and A’ja Wilson.

For Reese, this moment is a validation of her journey and something that can serve as an inspiration for those who come after her.

“Angel represents the very best of what athletes are,” Sky coach Tyler Marsh said. “I’m grateful that my son has the opportunity to grow up around athletes like her. It gives him someone else to look up to and see certain moments like this.”

After some early struggles, she took on a new role as the Sky’s point forward and has seen her game evolve in exciting new ways. It paid off with her second consecutive All-Star berth. On the court, she’s climbing new heights. Off the court, she’s climbing even higher heights.

We’ve discussed the pressure of being a signature athlete. Representing a major company with high expectations can be daunting. Reese continues to shoulder the pressure while still getting it done on the court.

At just 23 years old, Reese has already achieved a great deal in the college and professional landscapes. We’ll see what other fun developments she has in store for us.

Best week ever!

THE PHOENIX MERCURY ACCUSED OF RACIAL AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION

On July 3, Nikki Blue filed a lawsuit against Mercury, alleging racial and gender discrimination.

In 2023, Blue served as the interim head coach of the Phoenix Mercury. She took over for Vanessa Nygaard, who went 17-31 in her season and a half as Mercury head coach.

Blue impressed players and Mercury management when she took over on an interim basis, and towards the end of 2023, was asked if she had done enough to earn the permanent head coaching position:

Phoenix went in a different direction, hiring Nate Tibbets. Blue currently works as an assistant head coach at the University of Southern California. And right before the Fourth of July holiday, Blue took action against her former team.

Blue reports she was paid $250,000 while Nygaard’s salary at the time of her firing was $350,000. Meanwhile, the current Mercury head coach, Tibbets, had a salary of over $1 million upon hiring.

“Despite her exemplary record and professionalism, Ms. Blue was cast aside, demeaned, and denied the opportunity to lead. This lawsuit is not just about one woman’s career — it’s about the pervasive, institutional disrespect for Black women in sports leadership,” her law firm told the Associated Press.

The Mercury denied the allegations and cited the presence of one of Blue’s attorneys, who has previously sued the Mercury/Phoenix Suns on multiple occasions.

This story is ongoing, and we’ll keep you posted on what happens here at the Women’s Basketball Roundup.

ALLIE QUIGLEY HONORED BY THE SKY

Allie Quigley played 14 seasons in the WNBA. In that time, she established herself as one of the league’s best shooting guards and the founder of the Allie Quigley 3PT Invitational

Quigley’s journey culminated in a championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021 as the franchise won its first chip. Following her final season in 2022, she moved with her wife Courtney Vandersloot to New York as Sloot played two seasons with the New York Liberty. On Mother’s Day, the Vanderquigs family introduced baby Jana to the world.

With Quigs officially retired from the game of basketball, it was only a matter of time before her jersey entered the Chicago skies. On July 9th, the Sky made it a reality.

Quigley became the first Sky player to have their jersey retired by the franchise.

“Allie made me a better point guard,” Courtney Vandersloot said at the ceremony. “She made me a better teammate. She made me a better leader. And most importantly, she made me a better person. She also helped me and everyone else in this building become a champion.”

As more and more people become fans of the WNBA, it’s important for us to take time to memorialize and celebrate the history of the players who helped shape the game into what it is today.

📰 WHAT WE’RE READING

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

• Te-Hina Paopao is finding her groove with Atlanta Dream, one shot at a time by Wilton Jackson for The Next

• Interview: How 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Alana Beard is raising the bar for young women in basketball—and beyond by Stephanie Kaloi for Swish Appeal

• Struggles, setbacks have not dimmed the selfless spirit of the forward-looking Chicago Sky by Zachary Draves for Swish Appeal

• What’s really going on with struggling New York Liberty? How worried should we be? by Lucas Kaplan for NetsDaily

• How Am I Going to Be Charlotte Flair Today? by Ashley Fliehr for The Players’ Tribune

⛹🏽‍♀️ UPCOMING GAMES

Here’s the schedule for the next few days (Eastern Standard Time)

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