Angel Reese is no stranger to commanding the spotlight. From owning the MeBounds narrative to trademarking it and turning it into merch, the Bayou Barbie knows how to turn criticism into capital. Now, she’s done it again, this time with her surprise signature sneaker debut, the Reebok Angel Reese 1, unveiled in stunning “Diamond Dust” colorway.
But while Reese’s branding move drew major fan praise, an 83-second shoe plug by broadcasters during the Chicago Sky vs. Dallas Wings broadcast raised eyebrows. Sportscasters Lisa Byington and Shimmy Gray-Miller gave the sneakers a full on-air spotlight. With complete color commentary, personal quotes, and design breakdowns which didn’t sit well with all viewers.
Did the Plug Go Too Far?
Some WNBA fans called it a savvy move, applauding how Reese is leveraging her rising stardom. But others weren’t thrilled about the prolonged in-game sneaker talk, accusing the commentators of crossing the line from sportscasting to marketing.
“Check out the debut of the Angel Reese 1’s, her signature sneaker. Not available yet, but available soon and available for Angel here tonight,” said Byington. Miller added, “Those are nice. Those are clean. Classic.”
While excitement was high, many felt the extended promo distracted from the game itself, especially during a tight matchup. Critics online began questioning the neutrality of the broadcast, especially since the segment lacked any mention of the Wings’ key players or the live on-court dynamics at that moment.
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Angel Reese’s Rising Stock
Despite the off-court buzz, Reese backed it up on the court, posting 15 points and 11 rebounds. Further extending her record streak of games with 15+ rebounds. She entered the matchup averaging 17.4 rebounds per game, a stat that seems almost unbelievable for a second-year player.
And while her availability was questionable due to a pregame injury concern, Reese showed up and delivered, once again proving why she’s becoming the face of the WNBA’s new generation.
There’s no denying Angel Reese is a marketing powerhouse, but the backlash surrounding the 83-second sneaker segment raises valid concerns. Should broadcast booths serve as platforms for promotion, or should they stick to the action on the floor?
Would you rock the Angel Reese 1’s when they drop? Or are the in-game promos a step too far?
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