Angel Reese trade reaction: Stunning WNBA deal could be a 'win-win'

The first day of WNBA free agency began with a blockbuster trade.

The Chicago Sky have decided to move on from Angel Reese, dealing her to the Atlanta Dream in a move that stunned the basketball world. Reese has emerged as one of the WNBA's bright young stars during her first two seasons in the league, though the Sky struggled throughout her tenure in Chicago. She seemed happy to be headed elsewhere.

"An Angel's DREAM,"Reese shared to social media after the trade became public. "ATL WHAT UP?!"

Angel Reese walks runway at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Reaction to the deal varied depending on each team's perspective, with Reese providing a boost toa contending Dream rosterthat already featured Britney Griner, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. The Sky, meanwhile, appears headed for an extended rebuild after receiving two first-round draft picks in the transaction.

Advertisement

Here's a sampling of the reaction to the Chicago Sky's decision to trade Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream on Monday, April 6:

WNBA FREE AGENCY LIVE UPDATES:Tracking signings, trades for all 15 teams

Angel Reese trade reaction

Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY Sports: "Off the court, the relationship between Reese and the Sky grew strained after she made public comments about the state of the roster and her desire for more in Chicago. In December, Reese noted that she planned to play for Chicago this season, but the question remained: Would she actually be on the roster when the new season began? The answer to that question is now a resounding no. The Sky traded Reese for a picks package, arguably giving them a leg up in what should be a loaded 2027 draft class, which includes potential names like Madison Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and Audi Crooks. If Chicago can land a huge star at the top of the draft, it's a win-win."

"I'm very, very happy for Angel Reese. The Chicago Sky have been awful ... I'm used to Angel Reese being in winning situations,"ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on 'First Take.'"Clearly she's valuable. They think she can be valuable to them. It's going to put her in a winning situation. Her personality is just vibrant, where the Atlanta community will magnetize themselves to her. I like the situation."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA fans react to Angel Reese trade from Chicago Sky to Atlanta Dream

byAdministrator

in

April 07, 2026

Angel Reese trade reaction: Stunning WNBA deal could be a 'win-win'

The first day of WNBA free agency began with a blockbuster trade. The Chicago Sky have decided to move on from Angel Reese, dealin...

Read More

Will Smith scores to lead Sharks past Blackhawks 3-2

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Will Smith earned his 100th NHL point with a third-period goal, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Smith scored the winning goal on a wrist shot 3:28 into the third, assisted by Collin Graf and Macklin Celebrini, putting the Sharks on top 3-1.

William Eklund had a goal and assist and Kiefer Sherwood also scored for the Sharks.

Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar each scored for the Blackhawks.

Connor Bedard earned his 200th career point with an assist on Donato’s first-period goal. Bedard has four assists in his last three games.

Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 27 shots in the win for the Sharks. Spencer Knight had 20 saves for the Blackhawks.

Advertisement

The Sharks won 69.2% of the faceoffs in the game.

Up next

Blackhawks: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

Sharks: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

byAdministrator

in

April 07, 2026

Will Smith scores to lead Sharks past Blackhawks 3-2

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Will Smith earned his 100th NHL point with a third-period goal, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Chicago Blackh...

Read More

Oklahoma City police officers placed on leave over April Fools' Day 911 call to dispatchers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Police Department has placed officers on leave after reports of an April Fools' Day prank that sent squad cars in pursuit of a baby being thrown out of a car before the call was revealed as a hoax.

Oklahoma City Police Capt. Valerie Littlejohn confirmed Monday that an internal investigation was ongoing but would not say how many officers were placed on administrative leave or provide details of the accusations.

“We are aware of a reported pursuit involving some of our officers that included serious claims, which has since been determined to be false,” Littlejohn said in a statement. “We take this situation seriously and are committed to ensuring a thorough review is conducted.”

The investigation followed published police radio audio from the night of April 1, reported byOklahoma City television station KFORand other stations, in which a dispatcher says that the “city just advised that the suspect threw a baby out the window.”

Advertisement

“The police officer that’s in pursuit does not have a radio. He’s just messaging his location," the dispatcher says.

After a number of officers responded to the report, a dispatcher can later be heard saying: “It was an April Fools’ prank."

Another dispatcher says: “Not funny.”

A message left Monday with the president of Oklahoma City police union president seeking comment on the incident was not immediately returned.

Oklahoma law makes it misdemeanor crime to report “knowingly false information which could result in the dispatch of emergency services from any public agency.” Punishment is a fine of up to $500 and an assessment for any costs associated with dispatching emergency personnel.

byAdministrator

in

April 07, 2026

Oklahoma City police officers placed on leave over April Fools' Day 911 call to dispatchers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Police Department has placed officers on leave after reports of an April Fools' Day prank th...

Read More

How WNBA's new CBA impacts Angel Reese's Atlanta Dream contract

TheWNBA free agencyperiod opened with a bombshell trade on April 6 whenthe Atlanta Dream acquired Angel Reese from the Chicago Skyin exchange for two first-round draft picks, a deal that could have significant financial implications for both teams.

The trade allows the Sky to avoid paying Reese the much higher salary she is owed this season under the terms of theWNBA’s new collective bargaining agreementnegotiated between the players’ union and the league last month, which includes massive pay raises across the league.

Reese,the seventh overall pick by Chicagoin the2024 WNBA Draft, enters the third season of a four-year, rookie-scale contract initially worth $324,383 in total. However, Reese and 37 other players on existing rookie deals will have their salaries adjusted to align with the updated rookie scale established in the new CBA. That means Reese’s base salary for the 2026 season will increase from about $75,000 to $350,692, according to Spotrac.

Reese’s contract has a team option for the 2027 season. If exercised, she’d earn $396,282 – unless she receives All-WNBA honors this season, in which case she’d be eligible next season for a maximum contract worth up to $1.4 million.

Advertisement

That’s not a far-fetched scenario for Reese, a two-time WNBA All-Star who led the league in rebounding average in each of her first two seasons and was named to the All-Rookie team in 2024.

Althoughtrading Reese is effectively a short-term salary dump for Chicago,which had the seventh highest player payroll in the league last season, Atlanta could consider it beneficial that Reese’s contract is cost controlled for at least one season as player salaries continue to climb.

In 2026, the average salary in the WNBA is expected to be $583,000 while the minimum is $270,000 to $300,000 based on years of service. Reese’s salary is on the lower side and equivalent to 5% of the $7 million salary cap, which gives the Dream some flexibility when it comes to roster construction and navigating the remainder of free agency.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Angel Reese trade: How WNBA's new CBA affects her Atlanta Dream salary

byAdministrator

in

April 07, 2026

How WNBA's new CBA impacts Angel Reese's Atlanta Dream contract

TheWNBA free agencyperiod opened with a bombshell trade on April 6 whenthe Atlanta Dream acquired Angel Reese from the Chicago Skyin ex...

Read More

Fernando Mendoza partnership to bring financial education to NFL players

Fernando Mendoza is expected to be formally introduced as the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, but he already picked up a different title in the run-up to the 2026 NFL draft:

“Chief Financial Playmaker.”

As part of U.S. Bank’s new multi-year partnership – which makes U.S. Bank a new official bank and wealth partner of the league – announced Tuesday, Mendoza will contribute to the “Financial Edge” program that helps athletes navigate money aspects of a professional football career. U.S. Bank will also now be a presenting sponsor the Super Bowl MVP award.

Mendoza, who graduated from the University of California-Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and pursued an MBA from Indiana University, said he’s still figuring out exactly what a “chief financial playmaker” does. Improving financial literacy among his new colleagues matters to him, though.

“As a 'playmaker,' it’s about educating (the players), but it’s also about learning,” Mendoza told USA TODAY Sports. “I have a lot to learn.”

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection

First, Mendoza said, he wants to figure out "intricacies" that a NFL player experiences with his finances – how contracts are structured and the investment (short-term or long-term) preferences of the players. He wants to combine all of that into one playbook, which will be part of the NFL’s broader financial empowerment pilot.

Advertisement

Mendoza – like all Golden Bears athletes at Cal – took Steve Etter’s financial literacy course as a freshman before later transferring to Indiana and winning a national championship. Etter said Mendoza’s personality and passion for finance make him well-suited for the role.

“He’s charismatic. He’s a leader. He’s a visionary,” Etter told USA TODAY Sports. “And I think that he connects well with all spectrums in the locker room. I think that is what will allow him to do it.”

Name, image and likeness (NIL) dealings exposed Mendoza to the business side of sports during college.

“It’s really getting ahead of those retirement accounts. It’s being safe and smart with that money because you realize, ‘Hey, that NIL money isn’t going to last forever,’” the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner said.

College careers last only five seasons – in most instances, Mendoza added – and athletes are making “real money” for one or two of those years, Mendoza said.

“It’s been such an upper-echelon step that I’ve been able to take,” he said of business educational background. “However, I know that I still have a lot to learn, still have a lot to grow. I’m really excited for that next step.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Fernando Mendoza to share business education with NFL players through partnership

byAdministrator

in

April 07, 2026

Fernando Mendoza partnership to bring financial education to NFL players

Fernando Mendoza is expected to be formally introduced as the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, but he already picked up a different...

Read More