Chicago Sky keep Angel Reese on roster after public feud and quitting threat

The Chicago Sky announced Friday that Angel Reese will remain on the roster after the All-Star forward publicly threatened to quit the franchise amid criticism of the team's direction following a second straight season without a playoff berth.

General manager Jeff Pagliocca told reporters the organization has no plans to move Reese unless the situation changes. "Until I hear differently, that's the direction we're going to move, is that she's on the roster," Pagliocca said, adding that conversations with Reese and her representatives are "constant, and they're productive."

The 23-year-old LSU graduate sparked controversy earlier this month when she criticized the Sky after the team failed to reach the playoffs, saying she would not be "settling for the same s*** we did this year" and telling the Chicago Tribune she "might have to move in a different direction and do what's best for me." The team disciplined Reese with a suspension that covered the first half of a game; she did not return to play during the remainder of the regular season.

Reese missed the final four games of the Sky's season. The franchise listed her with a back injury for the last three contests, a development that fed trade speculation among fans and media about whether her relationship with the organization was beyond repair. Pagliocca characterized those rumors as closed, saying the team had "moved on as a team" after Reese addressed teammates and issued a public apology.

"I really didn't intentionally mean to put down my teammates, because they've been through this with me throughout the whole year," Reese said in that apology, noting teammates had "busted their a**" alongside her.

Pagliocca described Reese as "an ascending young talent in this league who's had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago," and signaled the organization is likely to engage her on contract talks in the coming years. Reese is on a rookie-scale deal that runs through the 2027 season; the Sky are expected to consider an extension before she reaches unrestricted free agency.

Reese has been selected to the WNBA All-Star game in each of her two seasons, and her play has drawn attention even as the franchise has struggled collectively. The Sky failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive year, prompting scrutiny of the roster and leadership decisions.

Pagliocca said the team has closed "the chapter" on the incident for now and emphasized ongoing dialogue. He did not outline a timeline for potential contract negotiations or disciplinary follow-up, and the Sky have not provided medical detail beyond the back injury listing for the season's final games.

The decision to keep Reese on the roster preserves the Sky's control over a young, high-profile player who remains under contract. Any future change in status would depend on further internal discussions or a formal request from Reese or her representatives.