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Fever's Bonus Money for Upset Win Over Lynx on Tuesday Draws Attention

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 11:23 PM ET

The Fever played without Caitlin Clark on Tuesday against the Minnesota Lynx in the final of the Commissioner's Cup series, and managed to pull off a surprising upset in convincing fashion, 74-59.

In most sports, players tend to yawn their way through gimmicky in-season tournaments, but in the WNBA, it's a bit more of a big deal. That is because in a league where players typically earn less than $150,000 per season, the $30,000 in bonus money is significant.

At The Athletic, the payout for the teams was laid out: "A $500,000 prize pool is awarded to the championship winners, and Coinbase commits an additional $120,000 in cryptocurrency to the prize pool. The respective pools are then split between players on the roster. Indiana has 11 players, and Minnesota has 12.

"Players receive more money in bonuses for winning the Commissioner’s Cup than for winning the WNBA championship. According to the league’s CBA, WNBA champions receive $11,356 bonuses per player, and runners-up receive $5,678 per player."

That is, naturally, an oddity--the Fever won more money on Tuesday than they would for winning a title.

The Indiana Fever win the WNBA Commissioner's Cup and take home the $500,000 prize pool.

Without Caitlin Clark. pic.twitter.com/tPV9SO0b1z
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 2, 2025

Additionally, each team plays for a charity. On Tuesday, the league laid out on Twitter/X just how those payouts go for the participants in the Commissioner's Cup final.

"Here's what the Fever and Lynx are playing for tonight! Fever - Peace Learning Center Lynx - ACLU Minnesota The winner of the Commissioner's Cup Championship presented by @Coinbase will take home an additional $10k for their charity, while the team that comes in 2nd place will take home and additional $5k for theirs."

Here's what the Fever and Lynx are playing for tonight!

Fever - Peace Learning Center
Lynx - ACLU Minnesota

The winner of the Commissioner's Cup Championship presented by @Coinbase will take home an additional $10k for their charity, while the team that comes in 2nd place will… pic.twitter.com/ZgshtRkYTg
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 1, 2025

The Fever were led by Natasha Howard, with 16 points and 12 rebounds. She was awarded the game's MVP trophy as she helped wear down a stout Minnesota interior defense, aided by forward Aliyah Boston, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

The Fever are now 9-8, and the Lynx drop to 14-3.

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

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