Angel Reese Makes History: WNBA Fans Praise Her Groundbreaking Offseason Announcement

In a bold move that transcends basketball, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese revealed her next venture: she will walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, becoming the first professional athlete to earn that honor. The announcement has stirred excitement across the WNBA community and beyond. Fans have celebrated Reese not just as a dominant player, but as a cultural icon who is expanding what it means to be an athlete today.

This moment is more than a fashion crossover—it’s a sign of how modern athletes are shaping their brands, influence, and identity beyond their sport. In this article, we explore the details of Reese’s announcement, how the WNBA and fans responded, and what it signals for the future of women in sport and culture.

Who Is Angel Reese & What Led to This Moment

To fully appreciate the significance, it helps to track Reese’s journey:

• Reese was taken 7th overall in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky.

• In her rookie season, she made an immediate impact—setting rebounding records for a first-year player and earning an All-Star spot.

• Off the court, she has built a personal brand: launching her own signature shoe with Reebok, engaging in fashion, and using her platform for community and cultural expression.

Her rise in popularity reflects both on-court excellence and off-court presence. So when Reese announced she would walk the Victoria’s Secret runway, many saw it as an extension—not a detour—of her influence.

The Announcement: What She Revealed

Reese took to social media to share her news. In her announcement, she expressed excitement and described the moment as a dream come true. She wrote:

“Stepping into a dream: From Angel to a Victoria Secret ANGEL… I’m finally getting my wings.”

She shared imagery of herself in a pink robe with the brand’s iconic feather wings—a visual blending her athletic persona with fashion symbolism.

What makes this first-of-its-kind announcement so significant:

1. Historic crossover – Reese will be the first professional athlete to walk Victoria’s Secret’s iconic runway.

2. Cultural resonance – Her participation speaks to representation, empowerment, and breaking traditional boundaries between sports and fashion.

3. Brand elevation – This amplifies Reese’s reach beyond basketball, into fashion, media, and global recognition.

Fans reacted immediately—many encouraging her, celebrating the moment, and noting how this step signals that athletes can excel in multiple arenas.

Fan & WNBA Community Reaction

Social Media Support & Pride

WNBA fans and basketball followers quickly praised Reese’s announcement. Comments expressed pride, admiration, and excitement for what this means not only for her, but for women’s sports overall. Many stated that Reese is showing younger players that they don’t have to be boxed in—sports excellence and cultural influence can go hand in hand.

League & Peer Recognition

Within the WNBA, the move has been seen as another moment in the league’s rising cultural relevance. Players, commentators, and analysts noted that Reese’s crossover helps raise visibility for the league and its players. It’s another signal that WNBA athletes are not just athletes—they are tastemakers, influencers, and public figures.

Critiques & Caveats

Some voices cautioned that celebrity moves must not overshadow athletic performance. Others reminded that fashion platforms are still often fraught with exclusion and expectations tied to appearance. The balance of embracing opportunity while staying grounded in sport is something Reese seems acutely aware of.

Strategic Impacts for Reese & the WNBA

Expanding Brand Identity

Walking the Victoria’s Secret runway gives Reese a global platform beyond basketball. It positions her as a multi-dimensional personality—athlete, fashion figure, cultural voice. That expansion can fuel future brand deals, media opportunities, and influence.

Shifting the Perception of Athletes

Traditionally, athletes and fashion models occupied largely separate spheres. Reese’s move blurs that line. She helps redefine what it means to be an athlete: performance, but also style, story, identity, and cultural impact.

Increasing Visibility for the WNBA

Every high-profile crossover by a WNBA player draws media attention back to the league. Reese’s runway role may bring new eyes to WNBA games, merchandise, and the league’s social narrative.

Risk & Reward

There is risk: fans always evaluate whether someone is spreading themselves too thin or diluting their focus. But Reese has, so far, built credibility in both arenas. Her strategic brand moves suggest she’s aware of balancing these worlds.

Comparisons: Athlete Crossovers in History

• Historically, many male athletes have donned fashion, acting, or music ventures (e.g. LeBron James producing, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson acting).

• However, female athletes crossing into lingerie/fashion runways remain rare. Reese’s move is truly pioneering in this space.

• In women’s sports, we’ve seen athletes move into modeling or entertainment, but the integration into a high-visibility fashion show like Victoria’s Secret is especially large-scale.

This places Reese among a small group of athletes who successfully bridge sport and cultural capital.

What to Watch Going Forward

Here are things to keep an eye on as Reese walks this path:

1. Runway execution & reception: Her performance, confidence, media coverage, and audience reactions will be key.

2. Narrative balance: How Reese maintains commitment to basketball while expanding into fashion will influence how fans receive her.

3. New brand deals & projects: Expect more partnerships, creative endeavors, or media roles following this historic step.

4. Effect on WNBA and other players: Will more athletes feel empowered to pursue such cross-industry moves?

5. Long-term legacy: If she succeeds in her dual roles, Reese may redefine how athletes build legacy beyond stats.

Angel Reese’s offseason announcement isn’t a mere headline—it’s a statement. By stepping onto the Victoria’s Secret runway, she’s claiming space as an athlete and cultural figure. Fans praising the moment recognize that this is about more than spectacle; it’s about reinvention, empowerment, and breaking molds.

As Reese prepares to walk that runway, she carries with her the hopes of players and fans who look to her as a beacon of possibility: that the court and the stage can both belong to the same person. In doing so, she may reshape expectations for what a modern athlete can become.