Milwaukee Bucks Celebrate Victory with 2024 NBA Cup Win
The Milwaukee Bucks have claimed the 2024 NBA Cup, a victory that brings not only prestige but also significant financial rewards for the players. For emerging victorious in this recent tournament, each Bucks player will pocket over $500,000. This impressive payout reflects the increased prize money compared to previous years, a change directly tied to the league's CBA and BRI growth factor adjustments.
Financial Windfall Across Tournament Stages
Indeed, the financial perks of the NBA Cup are enjoyed not just by the champions. Every athlete participating in the knockout round is set to receive a monetary bonus, regardless of their performance's final result. For those squads exiting in the quarterfinals, which include the Knicks, Magic, Mavericks, and Warriors, players are slated to receive $51,497 each. Teams like the Hawks and Rockets, who bowed out in the semifinals, see their athletes pocketing $102,994 each. As for the Thunder, who fought valiantly but fell short in the championship game, the players will take home $205,988 each.
Understanding the BRI Growth Factor
Interestingly, the BRI growth factor plays a pivotal role in determining these amounts. Defined as the ratio of Basketball Related Income (BRI) for the immediately preceding year to that of the 2022-23 year, it serves as a crucial factor in calculating bonuses tied to tournament performances. The CBA guidelines further clarify this, stating, "For each subsequent Salary Cap Year: (A) for each [NBA Cup] Player on the Team that wins the [NBA Cup] Finals Game, an amount equal to $500,000 multiplied by the 'BRI Growth Factor' for such Salary Cap Year; (B) for each IST Player on the Team that loses the IST Finals Game, an amount equal to $200,000 multiplied by the BRI Growth Factor for such Salary Cap Year; (C) for each IST Player on a Team that loses an IST Semifinals game, $100,000 multiplied by the BRI Growth Factor for such Salary Cap Year; and (D) for each IST Player on a Team that loses an IST Quarterfinals game, $50,000 multiplied by the BRI Growth Factor for such Salary Cap Year."
Implications for Two-Way and 10-Day Contract Players
However, not all players receive the full amount of these bonuses. For those on two-way or 10-day contracts, the BRI growth factor payout is halved. As per CBA rules, these players’ earnings "shall count as one-half of a knockout stage game for which such player was on the Team's Active or Inactive List." Therefore, a two-way contract player on the winning team can expect a substantial, albeit reduced, bonus of $257,485.50.
As the dust settles from this year's competition, the increased financial stakes and the excitement surrounding the tournament appear to reflect a growing trend in the NBA, making it not just a battle of strength and skill, but one of lucrative opportunity as well.