In a decision that amazed sports and technological communities, Elon Musk would have offered the star of WNBA, Angel Reese, a Tesla Cybertruck, Tesla Cybertruck, $ 100 million. The unexpected gesture was to mark the launch of a new Tesla marketing campaign aimed at empowering female athletes and extending the attraction of cybertruck beyond traditional demography. But Reese’s reaction was anything but predictable.
According to sources close to the agreement, the Cybertruck – tailor -made with a 24 -carat gold veneer and the Reese initials engraved at the doors – were delivered dramaticly, transported by helicopter to the court of practice of the Chicago sky. Tesla representatives and cameras teams were already in place, ready to capture what they expected to be a moment of comforting partnership between the technological magnate and one of the fastest stars in basketball.
However, what happened then shocked everyone.
Instead of entering the vehicle or posing for promotional shots, Reese would have watched the Cybertruck for a few seconds, shook his head and left the field. Once approached for a comment, she just said: “I’m not a trophy that you can buy.” Since then, her team has confirmed that she has refused the approval offer for ethical reasons.
This daring declaration sparked a massive online debate. Supporters greet reese as a modern icon of independence and integrity, with a fan writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Angel Reese has just refused $ 100 million to keep his soul.” It is power. ” Others, in particular Tesla’s loyalists and criticism of celebrity activism, criticized his movement as “arrogant”, “ungrateful”, even “a stroke of public relations”.
The backlash spread to Elon Musk himself. While Musk has not yet responded, Tesla’s marketing chief briefly discussed the incident during a live flow. “We only had respect and admiration for Angel,” he said. “The offer came from an authentic place – to honor its impact and reach new audiences together. We are surprised, but we respect his decision. ”
Meanwhile, the Cybertruck d’Or is now unused and not claimed in a Tesla private exhibition hall in Austin, Texas. Rumors suggest that the company can rename the vehicle for auction or offer it to another celebrity – but it is unlikely that this moment will fade anytime soon.
Reese, for its part, seems imperturbable by the controversy. In an cryptic Instagram story published only a few hours after the event, she wrote: “My value is not measured in gold or dollars. I choose heritage rather than luxury.” The story was accompanied by a video of its free throws in practice, with “My Power” by Beyoncé playing in the background.
It remains to be seen if this decision will affect the marketing of Reese in the long term, but one thing is clear: it is not afraid to move away from the most flashy agreements if that means to be near its principles.
