The WNBA Commissioner's Cup adds a thrilling mid-season championship layer to the regular season. In 2025, the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx are set to face off in this high-stakes final. Beyond prestige, the tournament offers substantial financial rewards for players and their communities.
This guide breaks down how the prize money is distributed, compares it to the WNBA Finals, and explores the history of this exciting competition.
How Much Do Players Earn in the Commissioner's Cup?
The two teams competing in the Commissioner's Cup Championship share a significant prize pool. For the 2025 season, the total player prize money is $500,000**, supplemented by an additional **$120,000 in cryptocurrency from Coinbase.
The winning team receives the lion's share of this pool. Each player on the championship team is expected to earn between $41,700 and $45,454. The standout performer who is named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive an extra $5,000 bonus.
Players on the losing team in the final also receive a portion of the prize money, though a smaller amount than the champions.
Community Impact and Financial Rewards
A unique and commendable aspect of the Commissioner's Cup is its direct support for community initiatives. Each WNBA team partners with a local community organization for the tournament.
- A win during the initial Cup games earns $3,000 for the team's partner organization.
- A loss in those games still contributes $1,000 to the community partner.
- In the Championship final, the winning team's community partner receives a $10,000 donation.
- The runner-up's partner organization also receives an increased donation of $5,000.
This structure ensures that the tournament's benefits extend beyond the court, making every game matter for a larger cause.
Commissioner's Cup vs. WNBA Finals Prize Money
While the Commissioner's Cup offers impressive immediate rewards, the WNBA Finals remain the ultimate goal, crowning the season's true champion. However, the financial prize structure for the playoffs is different and, interestingly, can be less lucrative for the title winners than the mid-season cup.
According to the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a total of $500,000 is allocated to be shared among all players on teams that qualify for the playoffs. The distribution is based on how deep a team advances.
Here’s the estimated prize money per player at each stage of the postseason:
- Eliminated in the First Round: $1,616
- Eliminated in the Second Round: $3,123
- WNBA Runner-Up (Losing Finals Team): $7,746
- WNBA Champion: $20,825
This comparison highlights the significant value of the Commissioner's Cup. A player on the winning mid-season team can earn more than double what a player on the WNBA championship team receives. This design provides a powerful financial incentive and recognizes excellence during the regular season.
History and Format of the Commissioner's Cup
The WNBA introduced the Commissioner's Cup in 2021 to enhance the regular season by creating a distinct, concurrent tournament. Its format is straightforward:
- Designated Games: Each team plays a set number of its regular-season games (specifically against opponents from its own conference) as "Cup games."
- Standings: The team from each conference (Eastern and Western) with the best record in these designated Cup games earns a spot in the Championship final.
- The Final: The championship game is a standalone contest that does not count toward the regular-season standings.
This is why a team like the Indiana Fever can have an even .500 record (e.g., 8-8) in the regular season but still qualify for the Cup final—they performed best among Eastern Conference teams in their specific Cup game schedule.
The past two Cup champions have also gone on to compete in the WNBA Finals, suggesting the tournament is a strong indicator of postseason success.
Past Commissioner's Cup Champions
A look back at the previous winners of the mid-season tournament:
- 2021: Seattle Storm
- 2022: Chicago Sky
- 2023: Las Vegas Aces
- 2024: New York Liberty
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WNBA Commissioner's Cup?
It is a mid-season tournament within the WNBA regular season. Select games count toward the Cup standings, and the top team from each conference advances to a championship game for a separate trophy and significant financial prizes.
How much does each player get for winning the Commissioner's Cup?
Each player on the winning team receives a share of the $500,000 prize pool, which typically amounts to between $41,700 and $45,454 per athlete. The game's MVP is awarded an additional $5,000.
Do players on the losing team get paid?
Yes, players on the team that loses the Commissioner's Cup Championship final also receive a monetary prize, though it is less than the amount awarded to the winners.
Is the Commissioner's Cup prize money higher than for the WNBA Finals?
Yes, surprisingly, the prize money for winning the mid-season cup is higher. A WNBA champion earns about $20,825, while a Commissioner's Cup champion can earn over $45,000, highlighting the tournament's substantial financial incentive.
What is the community benefit of the Cup?
Each team partners with a local community organization. Wins and losses during the Cup games earn donations for these partners, with the championship final offering the largest community grants ($10,000 for the winner's partner, $5,000 for the runner-up's).
Where can I find more information about the tournament and its history?
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