As the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup approaches its climax, the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty are poised to battle for the title of in-season champions.
The WNBA introduced the Commissioner’s Cup in 2021, mirroring the NBA’s new In-Season Tournament that rewards regular-season excellence with a prestigious trophy.
But it’s not just glory on the line. WNBA players can earn a significant payout if they reach the Commissioner’s Cup final. The victorious team enjoys a larger share of the prize money.
Interestingly, the prize money per player for winning the Commissioner’s Cup surpasses that for clinching the league championship. So, how much is the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup prize money, and how does it stack up against the WNBA Finals?
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Prize Money
The victorious squad in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup divides a prize pot of $500,000.
According to the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, team rosters must have at least 11 players and can include up to 12 players. If a team has 12 players, each member receives approximately $41,700. The game’s MVP secures an additional $5,000.
Additionally, each team is vying for an extra fund dedicated to charitable and civic organizations, with donations tracked publicly.
The runners-up in the championship game earn $10,000 per player.
WNBA Finals Prize Money
Teams reaching the WNBA Finals also get bonuses, though these are significantly smaller compared to the Commissioner’s Cup.
Why? More teams share the total prize pool during the WNBA playoffs, reducing the individual player’s share.
Under the current CBA, the total prize pool for the WNBA playoffs stands at $500,000. This fund covers bonuses for all postseason players who are on team rosters at the end of the regular season.
Here’s the prize money breakdown:
- Teams eliminated in the first round: $1,616 per player
- Teams eliminated in the second round: $3,123 per player
- Championship runner-up: $7,746 per player
- WNBA champion: $20,825 per player
What is the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup?
The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is an in-season competition featuring all 12 league teams.
In 2024, the Cup involved each team playing five Commissioner’s Cup games—one against each in-conference opponent. These games were regular-season matchups and contributed to the teams’ overall records.
All regular-season games from June 1 to June 13 were designated as Commissioner’s Cup games.
The top team from each conference—Lynx from the West and Liberty from the East—advance to the Commissioner’s Cup championship game, held at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 25, at UBS Arena in New York.
The championship game is unique as it doesn’t impact either team’s overall season record.
