Angel Reese is an athlete who sparks controversy for no other reason than being unapologetically herself—on and off the court. While fans react to Reese with mixed emotions, she should be respected for how strategically she’s built a platform designed to last well beyond basketball.
From her iconic NBA 2K26 cover and signature Reebok sneaker to landing features in Vogue and launching a McDonald’s meal, Reese is proving she’s not only a star athlete, she’s a master brand architect.
NIL: Just the Beginning
Before turning pro, Reese was already a force in the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) space. She secured 17+ brand deals in college with major brands such as:
- Amazon, PlayStation, Beats by Dre, Reese’s, JanSport, Outback, Xfinity, and more
- Reebok, where she signed a historic NIL deal under Shaquille O’Neal’s leadership—setting up her current shoe empire
- Cash App, Goldman Sachs, and TurboTax—amplifying causes like Black economic empowerment and financial literacy
By the time she entered the WNBA, her brand value was estimated at over $1.8 million, making her one of the top-earning college athletes in the country. But NIL wasn’t the peak, it was the foundation that spearheaded her branding approach as a professional athlete.
Double Drop: 2K Cover & Signature Sneaker Unveiling
In early July, the NBA announced Reese as the cover athlete for NBA 2K26’s WNBA Edition. But that wasn’t the only debut, the moment also unveiled her first signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1 by Reebok, in the icy “Diamond Dust” colorway.
It marked a historic first: a WNBA player launching a signature sneaker on the cover of one of the world’s most popular sports video games.
Angel Reese is not just the #NBA2K26 #WNBA cover athlete—she’s debuting her first signature Reebok shoe on the cover. The Angel Reese 1 drops soon 👟🔥
— Double Take Sports (@dbltakesports) July 9, 2025
📸 Mystics vs. Sky pic.twitter.com/TUbMCkhQ0m
“Mebounds” Shoe Reveal at WNBA All-Star Weekend
Days later, during WNBA All-Star Weekend, Reese introduced fans to her latest flex: the “Mebounds” colorway of the Angel Reese 1. She also wore them, on her terms, while suiting up for her second WNBA All-Star appearance.
Bright pink, bold, and rooted in a viral clapback turned trademark, the shoe sent a clear message: Reese doesn’t just play the game, she flips the narrative.
Literally MINE. Not yours (yet) 😉 https://t.co/pKCL4LKgYM
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 19, 2025
A Meal with Major Meaning
In February, Reese made moves again when McDonald’s announced the Angel Reese Special, making her the first female basketball player to land a signature meal. The meal featured a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese, new Bold BBQ Sauce, fries, and a drink. Her branding prowess was leveraged by McDonald’s based on how they pitched the new sauce: “as bold as Bayou Barbie herself.”
By becoming the first female basketball player with a McDonald’s meal, Reese joined a rare club, alongside celebrities like Travis Scott and Cardi B, proving her influence reaches far beyond sports.
Vogue Cover Moment
Though Reese is often seen in sneakers and a Chicago Sky uniform, she easily transitions into fashion icon status, showcased through her tunnel fits and red carpet glam. That’s why it was only fitting when she became the first professional basketball player, male or female, to grace a solo American Vogue cover in the Winter 2025 issue. The issue featured other cultural powerhouses, signaling her arrival as a legitimate force in fashion and media.
COVERGIRL. @voguemagazine pic.twitter.com/33camXwhtl
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) January 8, 2025
This was yet another moment where Reese turned criticism into marketing gold—tweeting:
“they said ‘she need to cover up’ so I went cover on VOGUE.”
Prior to landing the cover, she also used the Vogue platform to announce her decision to declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
From this Vogue exclusive to the #BayouBarbieOut video…the #PR side of me is loving how Angel Reese and her team are rolling out the news that she is declaring for the WNBA draft. Definitely a thoughtful & planned announcement campaign 👏🏾 https://t.co/fhux0PKZ21
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) April 3, 2024
Taking the Mic: Unapologetically Angel
In a media landscape that often diminishes women athletes, Reese carved out her own lane. With the launch of her podcast Unapologetically Angel in 2024, she gave herself, and others like her, a direct line to the audience.
Reese even used the platform to reveal she had paid off her mother’s mortgage, turning a personal milestone into public inspiration.
No filter. No spin. Just truth, humor, and insight. The podcast showcases Reese’s natural charisma and leadership, but more importantly, it cements her role as both a storyteller and creator. She’s not letting the narrative unfold around her, she’s authoring it.
Final Take on Angel Reese’s Brand Strategy
From a sports and PR perspective, Reese is doing what many professionals never manage to pull off: total brand alignment—anchored by authenticity, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and cross-industry appeal.
Angel Reese is more than a name on a jersey, she’s a case study in 21st-century athlete branding, especially for young women. Her impact spans the hardwood, high fashion, fast food, financial empowerment, and more.
While many still tie her name to controversy, she’s providing the blueprint for how to build a brand that’s made to last.