In the ever-evolving landscape of American sports, bold predictions are nothing new. Yet few could rival the audacity of imagining women’s basketball surpassing the National Football League in cultural and commercial dominance. Recently, a provocative scenario emerged when legendary coach Dawn Staley was credited with a striking forecast: “Angel Reese will make the WNBA bigger than the NFL in five years.”

Though there is no verified record of Staley making this precise statement, the spirit of the idea captures something very real—the extraordinary momentum of women’s basketball and the unique star power of Angel Reese. Taken together, these forces invite a broader question: can the WNBA become not only a mainstream league, but a powerhouse to rival America’s most profitable sports institution?

Angel Reese: A New Standard-Bearer

Angel Reese has swiftly established herself as one of the most influential figures in modern basketball. After a storied collegiate career, she entered the WNBA with a mix of confidence, charisma, and competitiveness that has electrified audiences. Her rookie season was nothing short of historic: Reese recorded one of the longest double-double streaks in league history, while her follow-up campaign solidified her as a cornerstone of the Chicago Sky’s future.

Beyond statistics, Reese embodies a cultural energy rarely seen in women’s sports. With a strong social media presence, high-profile endorsement deals, and a knack for engaging fans across generations, she represents a new breed of athlete—one who is as comfortable driving the lane as she is leading a conversation about empowerment, branding, and equity. This dual impact positions her as not only a basketball star, but a cultural icon capable of pulling the league into new markets and demographics.

The WNBA’s Growth Trajectory

The WNBA has enjoyed unprecedented growth in recent years. The 2024 season produced record-breaking attendance, soaring television ratings, and unprecedented media visibility. National networks increasingly feature women’s basketball in primetime slots, while streaming services provide global access to games that once reached only niche audiences.

Sponsorship revenue has followed suit, with major brands eager to align themselves with the league’s rising stars. Expansion is also on the horizon, with new franchises expected to join the WNBA within the next few seasons. These developments suggest a league transitioning from stability to true acceleration.

Staley, who has long advocated for investment in women’s sports, recognizes that momentum is not enough without transcendent figures who can sustain and amplify it. Angel Reese, alongside contemporaries like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, offers precisely that potential.

Comparing Titans: WNBA vs. NFL

To envision the WNBA eclipsing the NFL is to measure two vastly different enterprises. The NFL generates billions annually, boasting colossal media rights deals and stadiums that attract 60,000 fans per game. Its Super Bowl is arguably the most-watched television event in the United States, and its influence extends beyond sport into politics, music, and entertainment.

By contrast, the WNBA remains a league with smaller arenas, modest salaries, and a fan base still building its critical mass. On paper, the two are scarcely comparable. Yet the NFL has reached a saturation point; its growth is incremental, while its controversies around player safety and labor relations present long-term challenges.

The WNBA, conversely, sits at the beginning of its boom cycle. Its audience skews younger, more diverse, and highly engaged. If Reese and her peers continue to capture cultural relevance, the WNBA could become not only a successful league but a lifestyle brand—something the NFL has struggled to sustain with younger fans.

A Bold but Symbolic Prediction

Will Angel Reese truly make the WNBA “bigger than the NFL” in just five years? Realistically, the economic gap is too vast to close so quickly. However, the essence of the prediction is not about literal revenue parity. Instead, it reflects the belief that the WNBA has the potential to become a cultural force on par with football, particularly among new generations of fans.

Dawn Staley’s imagined forecast functions less as a measurable timeline and more as a rallying cry. It challenges stakeholders—owners, broadcasters, sponsors, and fans—to envision women’s basketball as more than an emerging market. It positions Angel Reese as the face of a revolution, one capable of reshaping not just a league, but the hierarchy of American sports itself.