The internet might be buzzing, but NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal isn't buying the hype. He doesn't think the WNBA should come down on Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese for her $400 bet with Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers.
It all started during this year's WNBA All-Star Weekend, when the two players made a friendly wager. A video posted by the WNBA showed Bueckers talking about the bet, and there's even footage of Reese waving a few hundred-dollar bills while chatting with Bueckers. After the Dream beat the Wings last week, Reese playfully said, "I will be requesting her Apple Pay after this."
That comment sparked a firestorm online, with some fans calling for the league to suspend both players for gambling. But O'Neal, in an interview with Fox News Digital, dismissed the whole thing as a harmless "homeboy bet."
"That's what we call a 'homeboy bet.' If it falls under gambling, it would be under the misdemeanor section; people need to stop it. She's not [expletive] point shaving," O'Neal said, via Fox News.
O'Neal's take echoes the sentiment of many who see this as much ado about nothing. But the WNBA's rules are strict. Section 5(c) of the league's bylaws states that any player found guilty of wagering on any aspect of a WNBA competition could face fines, suspension, or even dismissal. That's a heavy hammer, but it's unlikely to drop on Reese or Bueckers.
This isn't the first time Reese has found herself in the headlines. She's been a lightning rod for controversy, but she's also been praised for her grace, like when she reacted to her Team USA snub with class. She's also been a fashion icon, turning heads with her pregame outfits.
The WNBA has recently shown it's not afraid to discipline people over comments about Reese, as seen in the suspension of a coach for a "protected species" remark. But when it comes to this bet, the league seems to be taking a more lenient approach.
Reese and Bueckers are both young stars with bright futures, and this friendly wager is just a blip on the radar. O'Neal's comments highlight that sometimes, a bet between friends is just that. The fan outrage might be loud, but it's not likely to lead to any real punishment.
In the end, this is a story about two competitors having some fun, and one of the NBA's biggest legends saying, "Let them play."
