Angel Reese to Walk Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Redefining Athlete Branding

WNBA star Angel Reese will make history today, October 15, 2025, as the first professional athlete to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, further cementing her status as a cultural icon and marketing powerhouse.

Reese’s ascent extends far beyond her performance on the court for the Chicago Sky; she has secured unprecedented endorsement deals and brand partnerships. Former WNBA player Angel McCoughtry praised Reese’s impact, stating, “It’s everything. She’s setting a bar high for all women’s basketball players who used to say, ‘We weren’t marketable. We weren’t pretty. We couldn’t do this.’ We heard it all. She is setting a bar and raising it for future girls to do the same thing.” This shift in perception is significant as it challenges long-held biases about the marketability of women athletes.

Since her debut last year, Reese has become the first female athlete to have a McDonald’s meal, the first to grace the cover of Reese’s Puffs cereal, the first professional basketball player—male or female—to land a solo cover on American Vogue, and the fastest WNBA player in two decades to receive a signature shoe. She also joined the Met Gala committee and is a global ambassador for Juicy Couture. Her ability to translate on-court success into lucrative off-court opportunities is reshaping the landscape of athlete endorsements, and is a key topic discussed in sports business analysis from outlets like Sportico.

Despite her success, Reese recently expressed dissatisfaction with the Chicago Sky’s performance, hinting at a potential move. “I’m not settling for the same sh-t we did this year,” she told the Chicago Tribune. Rumors suggest the Dallas Wings are frontrunners to acquire her, potentially offering their top 2026 draft pick in exchange. Sky GM has stated their desire to retain Reese, but her future remains uncertain as the league heads into the off-season.