​Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images, Imagn Images
Edit: Qwame Skinner -Comeback Media The WNBA has found itself in the strangest of predicaments. The discourse in the league has largely been focused on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender athlete participation in sports, but this week, commissioner Cathy Engelbert had another PR nightmare on her hands.The WNBA’s official X account posted a video of all-stars Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese placing what appeared to be a personal $400 wager over the 2026 All-Star Weekend on whose team would win Wednesday night’s game between the Wings and Dream. However, gambling on WNBA games is explicitly against league policy, and the league quickly deleted the video.Reese ended up scoring 22 points and snagging 12 rebounds in a comeback win, and after the game made it clear she planned on collecting.“I’ll be requesting my Apple Pay after this,” she said in her post-game media session after being asked about the bet.Lifetime ban?The new CBA explicitly states that any sort of wagering on games is strictly prohibited, and violators are subject to punishment at the commissioner’s discretion.“Any player found by the Commissioner after a hearing to have been guilty of wagering (directly or indirectly), or of offering or attempting to wager, money or anything of value on the outcome, score, or any other aspect of any WNBA Competition shall, in the sole discretion of the Commissioner, be subject to a fine, suspension, and/or dismissal and disqualification from any further association with the WNBA.”Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is curious about how Engelbert will proceed.“Pete Rose was suspended for life for doing less,” he posted on X. Be interesting to see how @CathyEngelbert handles this.”Pete Rose was suspended for life for doing less. Be interesting to see how @CathyEngelbert handles this https://t.co/MJbVEezXy2— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 30, 2026It’s unlikely Engelbert will punish a friendly wager between two of the league’s biggest young stars with a heavy hand, but the league will almost certainly have to address the situation in some capacity.The post ‘Pete Rose was suspended for life’: Dave Portnoy breaks his silence on Angel Reese gambling controversy appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.