The WNBA removed a social media post promoting a friendly $400 wager between Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese after fans criticised the league for appearing to endorse gambling among its players. The clip, filmed during All-Star Weekend, showed the two stars casually agreeing to the bet on their upcoming head-to-head matchup, but the league's decision to promote it drew backlash amid wider scrutiny of sports leagues' relationships with betting culture.

Critics accused the WNBA of hypocrisy, given that professional sports leagues typically discourage any public association between players and gambling due to integrity concerns, even in jest. The controversy comes as the league continues to face broader criticism of its leadership, including ongoing scrutiny of commissioner Cathy Engelbert's handling of star player Caitlin Clark and related media coverage.