Here’s the full, fact-checked breakdown as of June 19, 2025—it clears up misconceptions while highlighting the true scale of achievements for Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard.
- There is no credible ESPN report confirming a $30 million endorsement deal involving Angel Reese. The widely circulated story appears to come from an obscure site with questionable credibility
- Verified news from ESPN and others confirm a multi-year extension of her Reebok deal, including a signature sneaker set for release in 2026
- While Reese has inked 20+ NIL partnerships (Reebok, Amazon, Beats by Dre, McDonald’s, Hershey’s, etc.), none have disclosed anywhere near $30 million in individual endorsement value .
- No public record or credible outlet confirms Reese donated $13 million to LSU’s program.
- Her philanthropic work is impressive and genuine, but on a much smaller scale:
- In August 2023, she gave $12,000 to her high school basketball program
- Through her Angel C. Reese Foundation, launched July 2023, she’s hosted school supply drives, partnered with Cash App and Magic Johnson for financial literacy, and funded basketball court renovations
- Reebok—multi-year NIL deal finalized October 2023; signature shoe slated for 2026 release
- Beats by Dre, Amazon, Coach, TurboTax, Wingstop, Xfinity, Panini, plus her Angel Reese Special McDonald’s meal (Feb 2025)—marking the first-ever female athlete-branded McMea
- Collaboration with Hershey’s and a new podcast, Unapologetically Ange
- While there’s no leak of a $30 million contract, Howard is confirmed to have a multi-year shoe deal with Jordan Brand, aligning with her #1 pick status from the 2022 WNBA draft
- During her Kentucky days and as a pro, Howard secured deals with WingStop, Powerade, Reebok, Direct Auto Insurance Early promos projected her NIL value at around $227,000, per Front Office Sports
- At Kentucky: 2× SEC Player of the Year, 3× first‑team All‑SEC, unanimous first-team All‑American, WBCA standout
- In the WNBA: 2022 Rookie of the Year, 2× All-Star, consistent starter for Atlanta Dream
- Off the court, she’s been serving as Florida Gators assistant coach and director of player personnel since 2023
- She also represented the U.S. in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- The $30 million and $13 million to LSU claims appear to originate from a speculative or satirical site and are not backed by ESPN or any major news outlet Official platforms (ESPN.com, Sportskeeda, Sporting News) report only smaller-scale endorsements and philanthropic contributions—authenticated and transparent .
- Satire and opportunistic reporting often distort athlete narratives, especially when named “Bayou Barbie” and spotlighted heavily.
- Fact-checking sources (like Snopes) have labeled extreme endorsement claims as satire
- True deals are significant but realistic: multi-million across dozens of partnerships, not a singular $30 M nut, and tens of thousands in direct giving, not $13 M.
- Angel Reese is unquestionably a powerhouse: dominant on the court, savvy in business, and genuinely philanthropic.
- However, no reputable source supports a $30 million endorsement or $13 million LSU donation—these appear to be inflated rumors.
- Rhyne Howard is rightly deemed a phenomenon—an elite player with a Jordan Brand partnership, team leadership, and future coaching prospects.
- Together, their profiles reflect staggering success, grounded in reality—not tabloid exaggeration.
Interested in:
- A deep-dive into Angel Reese’s brand deals and total valuation?
- A breakdown of Rhyne Howard’s Jordan Brand integration and market projection?
- A meta-analysis on NIL landscape and future trends in women’s basketball?
Let me know—I can expand or pivot however you’d like!
