The Rise and Fall of Angel Reese: What’s Behind the Unrivaled League’s Struggle for Viewership?

When the Unrivaled League launched, it was heralded as a new era for women’s basketball. With explosive marketing, a fresh approach, and a roster packed with top collegiate talent, the league seemed poised to capture the imagination of basketball fans everywhere. At the center of this movement stood Angel Reese, a player whose college career at LSU had made her one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. Expectations were sky-high. Reese, with her charisma and on-court flair, was supposed to be the catalyst for a women’s basketball revolution, drawing massive television audiences and filling arenas across the country.

Yet, just months into the league’s inaugural season, the story has shifted dramatically. The Unrivaled League’s ratings have plummeted, and the much-anticipated “Reese Effect” has failed to materialize. Instead of dominating headlines for her play, Angel Reese now finds herself at the center of a conversation about unmet expectations and the challenges facing professional women’s basketball in the U.S.

The Hype That Was

The league’s debut was electric. Early games drew as many as 300,000 viewers, and social media buzzed with highlights and debate. Angel Reese was positioned as the face of this new venture, billed as the player who could bridge the gap between the college game’s passionate following and the professional ranks’ need for star power. “This is not just about our team, it’s about our city,” Reese declared before a packed home crowd, calling on fans to bring energy and passion. For a moment, it seemed like the league had found its magic formula.

But as the season wore on, cracks began to show. After a promising start, viewership numbers began a steady decline. Games that once drew hundreds of thousands of viewers were now struggling to break the 100,000 mark. In one notable primetime matchup featuring Angel Reese, the audience barely reached 89,000—a far cry from the league’s early days. The numbers told a sobering story: the initial hype had faded, and fans were tuning out.

The Angel Reese Conundrum

So, what happened? Why did Angel Reese, once touted as the league’s savior, fail to deliver the expected ratings boost? The answer is complex, and it speaks to the broader challenges facing women’s professional basketball.

First, there’s the issue of star power versus actual draw. While Reese is undoubtedly a star on social media and was a dominant force in college, the transition to the pro game has been anything but smooth. Her performances have been inconsistent, and she’s struggled to find her rhythm against tougher, more experienced competition. Fans tuning in expecting to see the same dominant player from LSU have instead witnessed a player still finding her place, often coming off the bench and being outperformed by less-heralded teammates like Lexi Hull and Kate Martin.

The league’s heavy reliance on Reese as its marquee attraction has backfired. Rather than building a broad base of stars, the Unrivaled League put most of its marketing chips on one player. When Reese struggled, there was no Caitlin Clark or other established superstar to pick up the slack. This over-reliance has left the league vulnerable, especially as other players—like Kate Martin—have quietly emerged as more consistent and impactful contributors.

The Broader League Struggles

The viewership problem isn’t limited to Angel Reese. The Unrivaled League as a whole has seen its ratings dip, with recent games averaging just 204,000 viewers, according to the Sports Business Journal. Some matchups have struggled to break even 75,000 viewers, a staggering drop from the league’s initial promise. The lack of consistent, high-level play and the absence of transcendent stars like Caitlin Clark—whose presence in the league could have changed everything—have contributed to this decline.

Attendance at games has also been underwhelming, with arenas often appearing half-empty on television. The league’s decision not to create a more intimate, packed atmosphere (as some other sports leagues have done) has made the problem even more visible. Fans at home see empty seats, and the product suffers as a result.

The Social Media Mirage

There’s also a significant disconnect between social media popularity and actual ticket sales or TV ratings. Angel Reese commands a massive following online, but that hasn’t translated into sustained viewership for the league. This is a common challenge in modern sports: being an influencer is not the same as being a draw. The league’s gamble that Reese’s social media stardom would bring in viewers has not paid off as hoped.

The Caitlin Clark Factor

Perhaps the most glaring issue for the Unrivaled League is the absence of Caitlin Clark. The Iowa superstar has become the face of women’s basketball nationwide, drawing massive audiences wherever she plays. Every time her name is mentioned, it serves as a reminder of what the Unrivaled League is missing. Fans and pundits alike wonder what the league would look like if Clark were involved. Would Angel Reese’s struggles even be a topic of conversation, or would the spotlight have shifted to a true generational talent?

The Silver Linings and Lessons Learned

Yet, even amid the disappointment, there are reasons for optimism. Players like Kate Martin have seized the opportunity, turning heads with their consistent play and becoming unexpected fan favorites. The league’s experiment is still young, and there’s time to recalibrate. Building a successful professional sports league takes time, patience, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

For Angel Reese, the current struggles may serve as valuable lessons. The transition from college to the pros is never easy, and many great athletes have faced similar challenges. Whether she can adjust her game and become the star the league hoped for remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the hype alone is not enough—performance on the court is what ultimately drives interest and loyalty among fans.

Looking Ahead

The Unrivaled League’s future hinges on its ability to develop multiple stars, improve the quality of play, and engage fans both in the arena and at home. The league’s TV deal has a few years left, but unless viewership improves, its long-term viability is in question. For now, the league must focus on delivering a compelling product, nurturing its young talent, and learning from early missteps.

As for Angel Reese, her journey is far from over. The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity. If she can rediscover her college form and adapt to the demands of the pro game, she could still become the face of a thriving league. Until then, the story of Angel Reese and the Unrivaled League serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of hype, the challenges of transition, and the enduring quest to grow women’s basketball in America.