NBA Cup prize money: How much do the 2025 in-season tournament winners, players will make the payout..?

NBA Cup 2025 Prize Money: Knicks Players Earn Over Half a Million Each as Champions

The New York Knicks' victory in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup not only ended a 52-year trophy drought but also delivered a substantial financial bonus to the roster.

How Much Do the Champions Earn?

Each player on the Knicks' standard NBA contract receives $530,933 for winning the tournament—the highest payout in the three-year history of the NBA Cup.
This amount represents a roughly 3% increase from last year's $514,971 (paid to the Milwaukee Bucks) and a significant jump from the inaugural 2023 prize of $500,000 (won by the Lakers).
This $530,933 bonus is particularly impactful for role players and those on minimum or rookie-scale contracts, equating to over 40% of the league minimum salary (approximately $1.27 million for the 2025-26 season).

Two-way players receive a prorated share (typically half, around $265,000 if active for all knockout games), while coaching staff shares are limited (e.g., head coach gets a portion, but support staff like trainers do not).

NBA Cup: What is the prize money of 2025 In-season tournament?

The Stakes: Breaking Down the NBA Cup Prize Money

The total prize pool for the 2025 NBA Cup has grown to over $18 million, with payouts structured to reward success at every stage:

Champions: $530,933 per player (standard contracts)

Runners-Up: $212,373 per player

Semifinalists: $106,187 per player

Quarterfinalists: Just over $50,000 per player

For players on two-way contracts, the payout is 50% of these figures, making a championship worth $265,466—a sum that can nearly match their annual salary.

Emirates NBA payouts: Coaches will also get paid from prize pool for advancing

NBA Cup Coach Payouts: The Silent Bonuses

While players earn up to $530,933 each for winning the NBA Cup, coaches and staff also receive significant bonuses.

Head Coach: Receives the full player prize amount ($530,933 for a win).
Assistant Coaches & Staff: Do not receive a mandated NBA payout, but it is standard practice for head coaches and star players to share their winnings. This often results in six-figure bonus pools for key assistants, trainers, and support staff.

These payouts boost staff retention, morale, and align the entire organization's incentive to win the in-season tournament.