Following the United States’ recent Olympic gold medal victories in both men’s and women’s competitions, Angel Reese has emerged as a prominent figure demonstrating how WNBA popularity surpasses NHL players. Reese’s Instagram following alone reportedly exceeds the combined total of the entire 25-player Team USA men’s hockey roster, signaling a shift in audience engagement across sports.
An X user, @hockeyhater, highlighted this social media milestone with a graphic stating,
“BREAKING: Angel Reese has more Instagram followers than the entire 25 player USA men’s hockey roster * combined.”
Further emphasizing the cultural shift, @hockeyhater added,
“this is why it’s so bizarre when people refuse to acknowledge that the wnba is rapidly (if not already) overtaking the nhl. people around the country know who angel reese or paige bueckers are in much larger numbers than they’ll ever know about the tkachuks or even mcdavid.” — @hockeyhater
This comparison underscores the growing visibility of WNBA athletes like Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, contrasting sharply with the recognition levels of NHL stars such as the Tkachuk brothers and Connor McDavid.
Historic Team USA Men’s Hockey Gold Medal Win at 2026 Olympics
In Milan, Team USA’s men’s hockey squad achieved an Olympic gold medal victory over Team Canada, marking their first gold since the iconic 1980 “Miracle On Ice” win where they toppled the Soviet Union team. This historic achievement has drawn significant media and fan attention toward the hockey players involved.
Key contributors to the victory included Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who made an impressive 41 saves during the gold medal matchup, alongside the Hughes brothers, with Jack Hughes scoring the decisive overtime goal that secured the 2-1 win.
The team also gained viral status for reportedly singing the national anthem at a private event that included strippers, sparking commentary on social media about their off-ice celebration choices.
“Don’t most of these guys have families? Funny they would choose a club that offers private dances…” — @Doxy6661
Social Media Reactions to the WNBA vs. NHL Popularity Discussion
The claim that the WNBA has surpassed the NHL in popularity ignited a wave of responses online, placing Angel Reese—who boasts over 5.2 million Instagram followers—at the center of intense debate without her direct involvement. Some fans reacted strongly, blending insults and arguments comparing league revenues.
“hope this helps you retard, you losers will just say anything out loud hoping it’s true, profound stupidity on display,”
one commenter expressed during the controversy. However, this focus on revenue misses the original topic centered on popularity, not financial performance.
Another user offered a sarcastic take highlighting social media influence, saying,
“BREAKING… Livvy dunne has more than double the IG followers than Josh Allen… Women’s college gymnastics is overtaking the NFL as the top sport in America,”
indicating the increasing prominence of female athletes in digital spaces.
While some defended the NHL’s approach, emphasizing its unwillingness to sacrifice quality for popularity, they acknowledged the WNBA’s athletes enjoy greater individual recognition on social media platforms.
“I would say the athletes in WNBA are more popular than NHL absolutely. Peoples problem is WNBA is forced on people while NHL is for those who enjoy it. They want new fans but aren’t going to beg for it,”
one fan reasoned, while another pointed out,
“You all keep making a non point when comparing national WNBA tv numbers to local numbers of an NHL league. The NHL makes money and their players aren’t consumed with social media because they are adults,”
highlighting differences in viewing habits and social media engagement between leagues.
Perspectives on Audience Differences and Athlete Visibility
Voices providing more nuanced analysis noted the demographic differences between fans of Angel Reese and NHL hockey followers. A netizen observed that,
“Fans of Angel Reese are young girls mostly on apps like Instagram and TikTok. She’s also very active on Instagram. Most hockey fans are men who are not on Instagram. Those who are aren’t very active and are more likely to only be following friends and family and a few celebrities. Most the players aren’t very active and a good amount of them don’t have public accounts,”
explaining why Instagram follower numbers may advantage some athletes over others depending on their fan base’s platform preferences.
Another fan commented on the emerging star power in the WNBA as compared to the NHL, stating,
“As far as stars go, I definitely think the WNBA is producing more stars and fame than the NHL. Curious to see how the actual ratings and viewership for the games are. People may watch more NHL games for the product, but not follow the players as much. Both are good for different reasons,”
illustrating the complex relationship between athlete popularity and viewership metrics.
Ongoing Impact and Cultural Significance of the Popularity Shift
The discussion around WNBA popularity and its rising cultural significance marks a critical moment in American sports, where social media presence increasingly shapes athlete recognition and fan engagement. Angel Reese’s social media dominance reflects broader trends where female athletes are cultivating substantial followings and challenging traditional popularity hierarchies.
This surge in WNBA profile may influence marketing strategies, broadcast deals, and fan outreach efforts as leagues and sponsors observe shifting audience priorities. Conversely, the NHL’s established commercial success paired with differing fan demographics suggests both leagues occupy distinct spaces in the sports landscape.
As viewership data and social media trends continue to evolve, the rivalry in attention between the WNBA and NHL will remain a key dynamic, prompting deeper analysis of how popularity is measured and valued across sports.
this is why it’s so bizarre when people refuse to acknowledge that the wnba is rapidly (if not already) overtaking the nhl. people around the country know who angel reese or paige bueckers are in much larger numbers than they’ll ever know about the tkachuks or even mcdavid. https://t.co/Ks9TYbEyQt
— faye (@hockey_hater) February 24, 2026
Don’t most of these guys have families?
Funny they would choose a club that offers private dances… https://t.co/LWRum66qwh— Popular Monster (@Doxy6661) February 25, 2026
hope this helps you retard, you losers will just say anything out loud hoping it's true, profound stupidity on display pic.twitter.com/74evhlS451
— Verty (@TokensVerty) February 25, 2026
