Cheryl Reeve: Ejected| Post Game| Wife| Net Worth| Salary

Cheryl Reeve: A Figure of Passion and Success in Women’s Basketball

Cheryl Reeve is among the most respected coaches in the women’s basketball world. As head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx, she has built a reputation for intensity, advocacy, and winning. Yet in recent years, dramatic moments—such as her ejection from a playoff game and outspoken postgame comments—have attracted media attention beyond her career accolades. In this article, we explore:

• The circumstances around her ejection during a critical playoff game

• What she said in the postgame press conference

• Her personal life including her wife and family

• Estimates of her net worth and salary

• Her career trajectory, philosophy, and legacy

1. The Ejection: What Happened on the Court?

1.1 Game 3, WNBA Semifinals: A Charged Moment

The dramatic incident occurred during Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals, when the Minnesota Lynx faced the Phoenix Mercury. With time winding down and the game on the line, a pivotal play unfolded: Lynx star Napheesa Collier was injured after a steal by Alyssa Thomas, and no foul was called.

As Collier crumpled to the floor, Reeve reportedly rushed onto the court to challenge the officiating crew. She was restrained by staff and players, but not before getting in the officials’ faces. Her second technical foul followed, and she was ejected with roughly 20–25 seconds remaining on the clock.

The fallout was immediate: the Mercury nailed a layup. Reeve’s departure underscored just how much was at stake in that moment.

1.2 Why the Ejection Unfolded

Three factors converged:

1. Frustration over no-call — Reeve and her staff believed Thomas’s contact with Collier should’ve drawn a foul.

2. Player injury — Collier’s injury added emotional intensity. Reeve later speculated the ankle might be fractured.

3. High stakes — It was a semifinal game. Emotions were already running high.

In short, Reeve crossed the line of acceptable protest—per WNBA rules—and was assessed a second technical foul, triggering the ejection.

1.3 Broader Implications

The moment highlighted — and reignited — ongoing debates about WNBA officiating consistency, player protection, and league accountability. In her postgame comments, Reeve didn’t pull punches. (We’ll cover that in the next section.)

Many observers saw her ejection not merely as emotional heat-of-moment drama, but as protest: her ejection became a flashpoint for larger scrutiny of how the league handles critical calls.

2. Post Game: Reeve’s Fiery Response

2.1 Press Conference Highlights

Rather than expressing regret or softening her stance, Reeve used the postgame podium to issue a scathing critique of officiating and league leadership:

• She labeled the officiating crew “malpractice,” saying:

  “The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem those three people semifinal-playoff worthy, it’s [expletive] malpractice.”

• Reeve demanded a change in leadership regarding officiating oversight:

  “If this is what the league wants, OK. But I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.”

• She was blunt about her tolerance for losing versus losing under bad officiating:

  “I can take an L with the best of them. I don’t think we should have to play through what we did.”

• Reeve noted Collier left the game with zero free throws attempted despite getting five fouls. She argued that inconsistent calls allowed unchecked physicality.

• She cited injuries to other players (e.g. Maria Kliundikova) during the game that she felt were not appropriately called.

These remarks positioned Reeve not just as a frustrated coach, but as a vocal critic demanding structural accountability.

2.2 Reactions and Impact

Her outburst spread through media immediately. Highlights:

• Many praised Reeve for speaking truth to power and refusing to stay quiet.

• Others cautioned that her reaction might be penalized by the league or provoke backlash.

• The incident fueled renewed calls in WNBA circles around referee training, accountability, and transparency.

• The emotional intensity and bold language made the moment viral—even among audiences not typically following the WNBA.

Overall, Reeve’s postgame comments crystallized a tension many in women’s basketball have felt: fairness and respect for players must be enforced consistently—even at the highest levels of playoff pressure.

3. Personal Life: Wife and Family

3.1 Spouse: Carley Knox

Cheryl Reeve is married to Carley Knox, who serves as President of Business Operations for the Minnesota Lynx.

Because Reeve and Knox both hold critical roles in the Lynx organization, their partnership is unique both personally and professionally.

3.2 Children and Private Life

The couple have one child, Oliver. Knox has mentioned that Oliver has attended every home Lynx game since birth.

Beyond that, Reeve and Knox maintain some privacy. While the public knows their roles and family, they do not frequently appear in tabloid headlines or public gossip columns.

3.3 Public Identity and Representation

Reeve and Knox are a high-profile same-sex married couple in sports leadership. Their visibility brings representation to the WNBA and sports more broadly. Their combined influence—on-court, in front offices, in community engagement—offers a compelling model of life, work, and identity operating in harmony.

4. Net Worth and Salary: What Does Cheryl Reeve Make?

Estimating the net worth and salary of a high-profile coach/executive is tricky because public disclosures vary, especially in women’s sports. Nonetheless, several sources provide ballpark figures and contextual clues.

4.1 Net Worth Estimates

• One source estimates Reeve’s net worth at ~ USD 6.69 million, citing social metrics and online valuations.

• Another source places her net worth somewhere between USD 4.5 million and USD 10 million.

• However, neither source is fully audited or guaranteed; these are projections based on public assets, salary history, sponsorships, and other income streams.

Given her long tenure, multiple roles, and likely endorsements, a net worth estimate in the mid-to-high single digit millions seems plausible—though the true figure may differ.

4.2 Salary and Compensation

Public data on WNBA coach salaries is limited, especially for top-tier roles that also include front office duties. But some clues:

• Reeve holds multiple roles (Head Coach, President of Basketball Operations) with the Lynx. Her compensation likely reflects that multi-hat responsibility.

• Analysts often note that women’s sports salaries, even at top levels, lag behind comparable men’s sports roles; thus her salary, while significant, might be lower relative to men’s professional coaches or GMs.

• There is no confirmed public record as of now revealing her exact salary.

Given her role and reputation, one might infer a six-figure salary (USD) or more, possibly in the mid to high six figures—but that’s speculative.

4.3 Revenue Beyond Salary

Beyond base pay, Reeve could benefit from:

• Bonuses or incentives tied to team performance (playoff appearances, championships)

• Endorsements, speaking engagements, or media appearances

• Equity or profit-sharing within the Lynx or WNBA structure (less common)

• Pension and benefits as part of her long-term WNBA / coaching career

All these can add to the total compensation package, though they are harder to track publicly.

5. Career, Style & Legacy

5.1 Coaching & Executive Trajectory

• Reeve became head coach of the Minnesota Lynx in December 2009.

• Over time, she added executive responsibilities; from 2018 to 2022, she served as both Head Coach and General Manager.

• In 2022, she signed a multi-year extension and was promoted to President of Basketball Operations.

• She has been named WNBA Coach of the Year multiple times (2011, 2016, 2020, 2024).

• She has also earned WNBA Executive of the Year honors (e.g., 2019, 2024) for her impact off the floor.

• On the national level, Reeve served as an assistant and then head coach with USA Basketball, contributing to Olympic, World Cup, and international success.

Her dual role as coach and executive gives her rare influence over both on-court performance and roster/organizational decisions.

5.2 Coaching Style, Philosophy & Reputation

Reeve is known for:

• Intensity and emotional investment — she shows visible passion, as evidenced by her ejection incident, but also disciplined leadership.

• Player advocacy — in recent moments, she emphasizes protection, fairness, and respect for players. Her postgame remarks reflect this priority.

• Longevity and consistency — she has maintained high standards and relevance across many seasons, adapting to roster changes, league evolution, and expectations.

• Balance of accountability and support — she demands excellence but often supports players through challenges, injuries, or pressure.

5.3 Legacy and Influence

• Reeve has helped the Lynx remain one of the most successful franchises in WNBA history (championships, deep playoff runs).

• Her voice in officiating, player safety, and equity contributes to broader league-level discussions.

• As a woman, and a woman in a same-sex marriage, in leadership in professional sports, her visibility matters for representation.

• Her willingness to risk criticism (as with the ejection) shows a coach unafraid to hold systems to account.

If her current trajectory continues, her legacy will extend beyond wins/losses to systemic change, advocacy, and leadership role-modeling.

6. Conclusion

Cheryl Reeve’s ejection and postgame confrontation were not isolated emotional outbursts — they were expressions of deeper convictions about fairness, player protection, and accountability in the WNBA. Her personal life, as the spouse of Carley Knox, underscores a rare power couple role in professional sports. Her estimated net worth and salary speak to her long-term success, though they remain based on projection in a private domain. And her journey—from college player, to assistant, to head coach and executive—cements her as a transformative figure in women’s basketball.