The Emirates NBA Cup has emerged as a highly lucrative tournament in the NBA calendar, with significant financial rewards for players based on their team’s performance. The knockout rounds operate on a progressive payout system, where earnings increase with each victory. For example, players from teams eliminated in the quarterfinals receive a payout of $53,093, while those who advance to the semifinals earn $106,187 each.
This year, the New York Knicks made headlines when they defeated the Toronto Raptors in the quarterfinals, propelling their entire roster into a higher earning tier. Knicks guard Tyler Kolek shared a personal anecdote about purchasing a car for his mother with last season’s Cup bonus, emphasizing the financial implications and personal benefits of the tournament for players, especially rookies and those on two-way contracts.
The stakes continue to rise as the tournament progresses. The semifinals, set to take place on December 12 and 13 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, will see players from the two teams that lose earning $106,187 each, while those who reach the championship on December 17 will receive an impressive payout of $212,373, even for the losing team.
Winners of the championship game will earn an astonishing $530,933 per player, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year. This payout, part of a broader prize pool exceeding $18 million allocated solely for those involved in the knockout rounds, highlights the NBA’s commitment to equitable growth across the tournament stages.
Players on standard contracts benefit from these payouts, while those on two-way contracts receive half shares. Notably, head coaches receive bonuses equal to players’, and assistant coaches’ shares are prorated based on the size of the coaching staff. All financial distributions are managed by the NBA Players Association, ensuring standard practices regarding taxes and agent fees are followed.
The Emirates NBA Cup showcases not only the competitive spirit of the league but also the transformative financial opportunities it presents to players, reinforcing the importance of performance and teamwork in pursuit of the championship.