Fever Coach Stephanie White Makes $500,000 Admission Before Cup Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 8:38 AM ET

All eyes will be on Target Center on Tuesday night as the Minnesota Lynx host the Indiana Fever in the Commissioner's Cup championship game. Everything will be on the line in this winner-take-all game as these two sides battle it out for the right to be named the 2025 Commissioner's Cup champs.

It's the Lynx who are considered favorites to defend their crown as they play at home in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd. The fact that Caitlin Clark is questionable to play with a groin injury gives Minnesota an even bigger advantage in this clash.

Regardless of whether Clark suits up or not, Fever coach Stephanie White will make sure that her team is ready. Despite being underdogs, Indiana has no shortage of motivation, considering how they have a golden opportunity to bag their first trophy since winning the WNBA title in 2012.

According to White, though, her players are also very much inspired by the prospect of taking home the $500,000 prize money.

”I think the money has been more top of the mind for them than anything else,” White said, via Joshua Heron of IndyStar.

Winning a championship is an undeniably major achievement for the Fever, but the fact that half a million dollars is on the line is not lost on the players.

$500,000 split 12 ways comes out to over $40,000 for each of them. That's a pretty hefty sum, which is why it comes as no surprise that the prize money has served as the biggest motivation for the players heading into Tuesday's clash.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: