How Angel Reese Turned ‘Mebounds’ Into a Six‑Figure Branding Move
How “Mebounds” Went from Internet Shade to Smart Business Move
Okay, picture this: Angel Reese—Bayou Barbie herself—is doing her thing on the court, hauling down rebounds like there’s no tomorrow. Fans start talking, but not always in a positive way. A few jokingly say she’s “padding the stats” by grabbing her own missed shots. Next thing you know, a catchy, cheeky little term is born: “mebounds.”
The story really got attention around June 13–14, 2025. Angel saw that troll-y label being tossed around on TikTok and social media. But instead of brushing it off? She leaned in. In a TikTok video, she said:
“Whoever came up with the ‘mebounds’ thing, y’all ate that up. … rebounds, mebounds, crebounds, keybounds, tebounds… anything that comes off that board, it’s mine.”
That line? Pure fire. It showed her swagger, her confidence. She didn’t apologize or say “that’s not fair.” Nope—she saw the troll, said “nice one,” and flipped it.
Then, on June 14, records from the U.S. Patent Office confirmed: yes, she officially filed to trademark “Mebounds”—for T-shirts, hoodies, hats, you name it. Suddenly, this trash‑talk term was about to become actual merch.
This isn’t just mic drop—this is brightness. She took a phrase meant to undermine her and transformed it into a personal brand asset. Smart business move? Absolutely.
Why This Moment Matters (on Court and Off)
This trademark move is more than just a branding stunt. It feels like the latest chapter in Angel’s journey of flipping criticism into fuel.
1. On‑court dominance, off‑court savvy.
Angel has been leading the WNBA in rebounds, around 11.9 per game, but critics point out many come from her own missed shots. Still, she’s the rebound leader—and she owns it. Instead of shrinking from the chatter, she laughed at it, then turned it into merchandise.
2. A powerful personal brand in women’s sports.
Angel’s already one of the WNBA’s most marketable players—endorsements with Reebok, Beats by Dre, Wingstop, Xfinity, and even a namesake McDonald’s meal. Her net worth’s around $2 million. This trademark? It’s smart money. In her words, “that’s six figures right there.”
3. A lesson in flipping hate into hype.
Her teammate Ariel Atkins recently reminded the media how much criticism Reese deals with—saying “her crown is heavy.” Angel is only 23, facing trolls, both on and off the court. But she isn’t running from it—she’s harnessing it. She’s smart, resilient, and unapologetically herself.
Fans React: From Trolls to Champs
The internet, as expected, blew up—some fans trolled, some cheered, and some made merch pitches of their own.
Reddit? It was a mix: some poking fun, some admiring her hustle. One fan wrote:
“Leads the league in mebounds… She’s bad at basketball and will be out of the league soon”
Another joked (with vibes):
“She’ll be the first WNBA player to have a rule change… It doesn’t count as a rebound if your shot was less than 2 feet from the basket.”
On the supportive side, you saw gems like:
“I freaking love her … I’ll wear anything you make that says Mebounds!!!”
“She’s about to trademark mebounds! She smart asl her haters gonna keep her rich.”
That blend of mock and admiration is exactly what she leaned into—no shame in the game. She’s a natural at confronting trolls with charm and reminding us all how marketplace is part of sport these days.
A Personal Moment: She’s Not Just a Name or a Brand
Here’s what makes this emotional: Angel isn’t just selling tees or hashtags. She’s selling herself. That trademark? It’s a statement:
- She stands by her game—rebounds by any means.
- She’s grounded amid criticism.
- She’s building long-term value beyond WNBA contracts (which, she’s said before, are far below the sport’s true worth).
And she’s showing other young players how to OWN their whole selves — mistakes, chants, trolls, everything. Ariel Atkins calling her criticism “heavy” is real talk. And yet Reese smiles, trademarks, and walks onward.
The Takeaway: #Mebounds Is More Than a Meme
Angel Reese weaponized a joke. She trademarked a term born in online shade and claimed it as her own brand. She’s doing what few athletes do: refusing to be defined by sneers. She sees value in that little viral moment and is banking on it—deservedly.
That triple‑double she dropped (11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) wasn’t just a win—it was the perfect backdrop. On June 15, she became the second‑youngest WNBA player ever with a triple‑double, and immediately after, that “six‑figure” brand idea hit full steam.
At the end of the day, it’s more than basketball highlights. It’s business, confidence, strategy—and something real she can pass along. When critics threw shade with “mebounds,” she turned it into merchandise, a mindset, and a money-maker.
Why it hits home:
Angel Reese isn’t just a WNBA star—she’s a modern athlete with marketing power, personal strength, and no shame in the hustle. “Mebounds” went from a troll’s jab to a trademark, a lesson in reclaiming narratives. And fans? They’ll wear those shirts.