Even though Kate Linklark didn’t take the court for the Commissioner Cup game on Tuesday, her team’s win brought her a share of $500,000.
“Winning the Commissioner’s Cup feels bigger than actually winning the WNBA championship,” remarked her teammate, Sydney Colson, during an Instagram livestream, as the Fever defeated the Lynx 74-59. “It’s baffling! Someone needs to tell Cathy Engelbert to help us out!”
The Commissioner’s Cup resembles tournaments held during the NBA season, serving as a way to energize the regular season and provide financial benefits to the players.
By securing the Commissioner Cup, Fever players received a combined $500,000, which means each of the 11 roster members gained roughly $45,000, plus an additional bonus of about $5,000 in cryptocurrency.
What’s intriguing is that if the 8-8 Fever happen to clinch the WNBA Finals, each player would only see a bonus of $20,000.
This creates a stark contrast: one is a victory that shapes a team’s legacy throughout their careers, while the other is just a mid-season competition. The divergence in these events’ importance doesn’t necessarily reflect in the bonuses players receive.
The average salary for a WNBA player hovers around $102,249. Clark is among the league’s elite, although her current salary is $76,066 since she’s still under a rookie contract.
Fortunately for Clark and her peers, the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will conclude after this season, opening the floor for discussions on various aspects of salary and bonuses in the future.
Considering Clark’s star power, she’s likely to be heavily involved in any league-wide changes ahead.
