Angel Reese is one of the most prominent WNBA stars today, but she's also a divisive figure and has garnered a significant number of critics on social media. One of those critics, or haters, is Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy, who is also a massive supporter of Caitlin Clark .
In an appearance on Rachel DeMita's "Courtside Club" podcast, Portnoy was asked how her hatred for Reese began. Barstool's "Presidente" said that it was due to the LSU star's taunting toward the end of the infamous game vs. Iowa. Angel famously flashed the ring celebration and John Cena's "You Can't See Me" gesture towards Caitlin, as the game ended.
"I started hating Angel in the ring game," Portnoy said . "When she was going around doing that, and I called her a classless piece of s—t that got transformed to, 'Dave's racist.' I didn't even know who she was. I don't care who did that. I was rooting for Caitlin. That was like the first year I was a Caitlin fan, and I had never seen anybody act like Angel did after the game."
Portnoy also argued that there's no proof that Clark did it first before the tournament, calling out people like Stephen A. Smith. Nevertheless, he dislikes Reese because it's part of sports, citing an example like how he has always disliked Peyton Manning, due to being a big fan of Tom Brady.
Despite hating on Angel and her game on the court, Dave can't help but compliment the Chicago Sky star for her business off the court. Portnoy was very impressed with Reese and her team for trademarking "Mebounds," which the internet used to call out the two-time WNBA All-Star for rebounding her own missed shots.
Reese used the name "Mebounds" for one of her signature shoes from Reebok, released in July. Angel has been a big hit for the revitalized shoe brand, with her kicks selling out quickly. Reebok is currently led by Shaquille O'Neal, who serves as president of basketball, while Allen Iverson is the vice president; the two NBA legends are working together to bring the brand back big onto the basketball scene.
Portnoy knows a thing or two about business, as he has an estimated net worth of around $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth . Dave famously sold Barstool Sports to Penn Entertainment for $551 million in 2023, only to purchase it back for just $1.
Amid another disappointing season with the Chicago Sky, Angel made comments detrimental to the team in an interview with the Chicago Tribune toward the end of the regular season. Reese's remarks didn't sit well with the front office, which promptly suspended her for a half.
Reese apologized for her comments, especially to her teammates, whom she seemingly threw under the bus. Angel called the Sky franchise for not doing enough to help lure free agents — the team finished with a record of 10-34, tied for the worst in the WNBA.
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca told ESPN at the end of the regular season that Reese is not available for trade, but he did say that this remains the case until he hears otherwise from ownership. Whatever happens, the Sky need to keep Angel around if they want to reap the benefits of her on-court and off-court prowess.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
