The WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup tipped off this past Sunday, marking an exciting highlight in the league’s mid-season schedule. Established in 2020 as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and players’ union, the Cup aims to provide players with additional earning opportunities and to cultivate conference rivalries, which are not accounted for in the league’s playoffs. The inaugural event officially took place in 2021, where the Seattle Storm triumphed over the Connecticut Sun 79-57.
In its current format, each WNBA team competes in one game against every team in their conference. The team with the best winning percentage at the end of these games will advance to the Commissioner’s Cup Final. Notably, with the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries as the league’s 13th franchise, Western Conference teams now play six Cup games rather than five, resulting in a balanced home and away split. In contrast, some Eastern Conference teams, such as the Atlanta Dream, have a skewed schedule that includes more away games.
The WNBA has implemented a detailed tiebreaker system to handle scenarios where teams finish with identical records. This includes point differentials, head-to-head matchups, and, as a last resort, a coin flip. The Cup also differentiates itself from the NBA’s in-season tournament by linking each team to a local charitable organization. For each game won during the Commissioner’s Cup, teams donate $3,000 to their chosen charity, with additional financial awards for final standings.
This season, several franchises are partnering with local ACLU branches and organizations that tackle issues like youth criminalization and women’s health. The monetary rewards for charities include $3,000 for each win, $1,000 for each loss, and larger awards for the Cup Final teams, which come with a $500,000 prize pool.
As the tournament progresses, notable early victories include the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, and a record-breaking 100-52 win by the New York Liberty against the Connecticut Sun. Upcoming matchups include the Indiana Fever facing the Washington Mystics on June 3, where the Fever will seek to bounce back from previous losses, especially in the absence of star player Caitlin Clark.
The competitive landscape is heating up, and as teams like the Dream aim to extend their four-game winning streak, anticipation builds for the Commissioner’s Cup Final on July 1. This season promises to deliver thrilling basketball moments while supporting meaningful causes, showcasing the WNBA’s dedication to both sports and community impact.
Overall, the Commissioner’s Cup presents an opportunity for teams to not only compete for titles but also give back to their communities, creating an inspiring narrative around the league.