Angel Reese is not only a double-double machine on the court, but she’s proving to be a marketing phenomenon as well.
The Chicago Sky forward is now an official brand ambassador for Reese’s, the Hershey’s brand of chocolate and peanut butter candies, and the two sides have partnered on an apparel collection. On Wednesday, the first batch of limited-edition apparel for the “Angel Reese x Reese’s Pieces Logo Collection” was released on her website, with Reese taking to social media to show appreciation to the fans who seemingly willed the partnership to happen.
Back in July, TMZ Sports reported that the star rookie out of LSU was in talks with Hershey’s about a sponsorship deal. The talks came not long after the Sky’s June 25 win over the rival Indiana Fever, where Reese finally gave a name to her faithful with a post on Twitter/X, saying “Reese’s pieces yall at?????”
The social media account for the candy brand replied, “Where are we? Just following our favorite player” along with an image of several Reese’s Pieces, including one with a black headband in the same style she wears on the court.
Reese has also worn sneakers styled by shoe artist Marvin Baroota with the Reese’s Pieces branding on them.
Reese emphasized a desire to reward her fans for their support immediately with the collection. “I wanted to deliver something that they could proudly wear this season,” Reese said in a Wednesday interview with Boardroom. “We worked as quickly as possible with Reese’s to build a collection that really reflected who I am—bold, vibrant and unapologetically me.”
The Hershey’s partnership isn’t the only branding news surrounding the star forward. Her team announced that it will host “Barbie Game Night” when the Fever come to Chicago on Aug. 30. In partnership with Mattel, the Sky will have activations throughout Wintrust Arena that will champion women in sports while continuing to celebrate the famed doll’s 65th anniversary.
While the release itself did not directly mention Reese’s name, it has a certain connection to the star forward, who was nicknamed “the Bayou Barbie” during her time at LSU for her on-court appearance: long, painted fingernails and prominent eyelash extensions that gave her a distinctive look while playing.
The upcoming “Barbie Game Night” has two fitting opponents, as the two teams have engaged in the WNBA’s fiercest rivalry this season, with Reese and Indiana’s Caitlin Clark in starring roles. The games have not only helped break new ground in TV viewership but attendance and secondary ticket sales as well.
Reese, the 22-year-old Baltimore native, is an investor in the women’s soccer team DC Power Football Club and has other endorsement deals including with Reebok, Beats by Dre and Panini America. The 6’3” power forward was drafted seventh in this year’s WNBA draft and is averaging 13.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in her first pro season.
