When fans talk about making it to the WNBA Finals, they imagine glory, spotlight, and a worthy payday. But Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams has shattered that assumption.
In a recent video, Williams pulled back the curtain on what players actually earn once the regular season ends. And if you thought playoff success came with a financial reward, brace yourself: the figure she shared caught many by surprise.
Courtney Williams Sheds Light on WNBA’s Low Payout for Finals Run
Williams didn’t mince words when talking about the financial reality of chasing a WNBA title. Speaking candidly in a video posted by WNBA Got Game on X, she said,
“Once our paycheck stops after the regular season, and we are going to Playoff basketball, honestly, you just playing for pride at that point… We made it to the finals, bro, and making it the last two teams of the finals. We got $3000. That was the bonus to make it to the end.”
Courtney Williams and the Minnesota Lynx only got $3k each for making it to the WNBA Finals 😳 pic.twitter.com/tnam0zYyWJ
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) June 10, 2025
That revelation is eye-popping, especially considering the effort it takes to survive the WNBA’s playoff grind. Williams’ Lynx went the distance in the 2024 WNBA Finals, pushing the New York Liberty to a decisive fifth game before falling short. Despite the incredible run, her statement makes it clear the reward didn’t match the feat.
According to the current league setup, the WNBA allocates just $500,000 for the entire playoff prize pool. The breakdown is based on how deep teams go in the postseason. First-round exits earn each player $1,616.
If you make it through the second round, that jumps to $3,123. Players on the team that loses in the Finals earn $7,746 each, and the champions take home $20,825 per player.
That system left Williams and her Lynx teammates with just $3,000 in hand, a figure that doesn’t align with the growing interest and exposure the league has received.
Big NBA Bonuses Highlight WNBA Pay Disparity
The WNBA has made huge strides in recent years – rising viewership, increased media deals, and more national attention. But when it comes to player compensation, there’s still a long road ahead.
Several top players, including Angel Reese, DiJonai Carrington, and Diana Taurasi, have voiced frustration over pay and even floated the idea of a player strike if changes aren’t made. ESPN reported that many athletes view salary reform as one of their highest priorities in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As of 2024, the WNBA supermax salary sits at $241,984. Rookies and players with fewer than three years of experience earn just $64,154, while veterans with three or more years bring in $76,535. And each franchise must manage their roster under a strict salary cap of $1,463,200.
Meanwhile, the NBA tells a very different story.
This year alone, the NBA will hand out $34.7 million in playoff bonuses, nearly 70 times what the WNBA allocates. Teams advance through rounds to earn more, and there’s even a reward for regular-season dominance. For example, the team with the best overall record pockets an extra $869,345.
If the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went 68–14 (best overall record) win the NBA championship, they could see up to $12.4 million in total playoff earnings. For a 15-man roster, that breaks down to about $826,000 per player. Even the lowest share ($466,263 per team), roughly $30,400 per player, is 10 times higher than what the Lynx earned in the Finals.
Williams’ comments might seem blunt, but they reflect a larger truth. As the WNBA continues to grow, the players driving its success are demanding more than applause – they want a system that rewards the sweat, sacrifice, and spotlight that come with being the best.
The WNBA loses money how can you expect large payouts. You need to grow the league. Get better referees that call fouls.