How Much Athletes Make for Playoff Runs in the NBA, NFL and Other Sports
Joel Anderson
14 min read
The coronavirus has utterly remade the face of America in 2020, annihilating many aspects of everyday life in a sudden and unexpected way. And while the loss of the postseason for major sports leagues isn’t top of mind for most people, it still represents a painful step.
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However, while the pain for sports fans has been potentially missing out on the excitement of postseasons, for the athletes themselves it’s also a loss on income. Income that might not be a lot in the context of star players’ massive salaries, but it’s easy to forget there’s a lot more at stake for the role players who often make up significant portions of rosters. For someone making the league minimum, say, while also dealing with virtually zero job security in a field where most careers won’t last into a second decade, playoff checks can be an essential boost to their finances.
That’s why GOBankingRates laid out exactly how much pro athletes would miss out on come playoff time if their leagues were unable to hold games. That includes both the per-team (or per-player, for the NFL) payouts for each round and the total money earned by each playoff team, using the most recent figures from the 2019 seasons. So, take a closer look at how a canceled postseason might affect the finances of the world’s best athletes.
Last updated: Jan. 4, 2021
Alena Veasey / Shutterstock.com
NFL
The NFL plans to continue with the draft as scheduled and the fact that the season doesn’t start for months means they might still be able to go forward with their playoffs as scheduled. Ultimately, though, that hinges on how effectively the country can arrest the spread of coronavirus.
The NFL playoff roster includes 53 players and is paid out on a per-player basis, making it unique as the other three major American sports leagues pay bonuses to the team and allow them to divvy it up. Should the NFL manage to play a normal playoffs in 2021, the expected per-player bonus pay would be:
Wild-card round
Division winner: $33,000
Other: $30,000
Divisional round: $33,000
Conference championships: $59,000
Super Bowl
Winner: $130,000
Loser: $65,000
Adrian Kraus/AP/REX / Shutterstock.com
Buffalo Bills
Player’s total playoff earnings: $28,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
Potential earnings achieved: 11.72%
Pictured: Josh Allen
Lynne Sladky/AP / Shutterstock.com
Philadelphia Eagles
Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
Potential earnings achieved: 12.81%
Pictured: Jason Kelce
Butch Dill/AP / Shutterstock.com
New Orleans Saints
Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
Potential earnings achieved: 12.81%
Pictured: Drew Brees
Dave Shopland/BPI / Shutterstock.com
New England Patriots
Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
Potential earnings achieved: 12.81%
Pictured: Julian Edelman
Gail Burton/AP / Shutterstock.com
Baltimore Ravens
Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
Potential earnings achieved: 14.69%
Pictured: Earl Thomas
Bill Feig/AP / Shutterstock.com
Minnesota Vikings
Player’s total playoff earnings: $59,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
Potential earnings achieved: 24.69%
Pictured: Kirk Cousins
Elaine Thompson/AP / Shutterstock.com
Seattle Seahawks
Player’s total playoff earnings: $59,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
Potential earnings achieved: 24.69%
Pictured: Russell Wilson
David J Phillip/AP / Shutterstock.com
Houston Texans
Player’s total playoff earnings: $62,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
Potential earnings achieved: 25.62%
Pictured: J.J. Watt
Mike Roemer/AP / Shutterstock.com
Green Bay Packers
Player’s total playoff earnings: $87,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
Potential earnings achieved: 100.00%
Pictured: Patrick Mahomes
tookapic / Pixabay
NBA
Winter leagues that typically hold their playoffs in the late spring and early summer are the ones most likely to be forced into a complete cancelation. And while a number of interesting ideas have been bandied about regarding how to potentially hold an abbreviated event after it’s safe to do so, it seems unlikely at this point that NBA players can count on the extra earnings.
Here’s a look at what each NBA team would have split for reaching and/or advancing in the playoffs:
Best record in NBA: $625,143
Best record in conference: $547,101
Second-best record in conference: $437,677
Third-best record in conference: $328,254
Fourth-best record in conference: $267,703
Fifth-best record in conference: $207,152
Sixth-best record in conference: $146,601
Teams participating in first round: $323,506
Teams participating in conference semifinals: $384,930
Teams participating in conference finals: $636,094
Losing team, NBA Finals: $2,543,681
Winning team, NBA Finals: $3,838,798
John G Mabanglo/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
Los Angeles Clippers
Team’s total playoff earnings: $323,506
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,183,328
Potential earnings achieved: 6.24%
Average earnings for each player: $19,030
Pictured: Montrezl Harrell
Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
Detroit Pistons
Team’s total playoff earnings: $323,506
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,183,328
Potential earnings achieved: 6.24%
Average earnings for each player: $19,030
Pictured: Langston Galloway
Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
Orlando Magic
Team’s total playoff earnings: $323,506
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,183,328
Potential earnings achieved: 6.24%
Average earnings for each player: $19,030
Pictured: D.J. Augustin
Kyle Terada/Pool/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
San Antonio Spurs
Team’s total playoff earnings: $323,506
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,183,328
Potential earnings achieved: 6.24%
Average earnings for each player: $19,030
Pictured: LaMarcus Aldridge
Kyle Phillips/AP / Shutterstock.com
Oklahoma City Thunder
Team’s total playoff earnings: $470,107
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,329,929
Potential earnings achieved: 8.82%
Average earnings for each player: $27,653
Pictured: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Peter Foley/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
Brooklyn Nets
Team’s total playoff earnings: $470,107
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,329,929
Potential earnings achieved: 8.82%
Average earnings for each player: $27,653
Pictured: Spencer Dinwiddie
Rick Bowmer/AP / Shutterstock.com
Utah Jazz
Team’s total playoff earnings: $530,658
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,390,480
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,621,005
Potential earnings achieved: 20.39%
Average earnings for each player: $67,418
Pictured: Paul Millsap
Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com
Portland Trail Blazers
Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,672,784
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,511,582
Potential earnings achieved: 30.35%
Average earnings for each player: $98,399
Pictured: Damian Lillard
Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
Milwaukee Bucks
Team’s total playoff earnings: $2,516,774
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $6,355,572
Potential earnings achieved: 39.60%
Average earnings for each player: $148,046
Pictured: Khris Middleton
Larry W Smith/EPA / Shutterstock.com
Golden State Warriors
Team’s total playoff earnings: $4,435,312
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,730,429
Potential earnings achieved: 77.40%
Average earnings for each player: $260,901
Pictured: Steph Curry
Justin Lane/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
Toronto Raptors
Team’s total playoff earnings: $5,621,005
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,621,005
Potential earnings achieved: 100.00%
Average earnings for each player: $330,647
Pictured: Kyle Lowry
Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com
NHL
Like the NBA, NHL players were just gearing up for a final playoff push when the need to cancel public events made it impossible for the season to continue. They’re lucky enough to have completed most of a season prior to cancelation, but those who might have been en route for the postseason are missing out on more than a chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s cup. Here’s what playoff bonuses look like for NHL teams:
Presidents’ Trophy winner: $615,385
First-round losers: $307,692
Second-round losers: $615,385
Third-round losers: $1,538,462
Stanley Cup finalists: $2,769,231
Stanley Cup champion: $4,615,385
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP / Shutterstock.com
Toronto Maple Leafs
Team’s total playoff earnings: $307,692
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
Potential earnings achieved: 6.67%
Average earnings for each player: $12,308
Pictured: William Nylander
Nick Wass/AP / Shutterstock.com
Washington Capitals
Team’s total playoff earnings: $307,692
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,230,769
Potential earnings achieved: 17.65%
Average earnings for each player: $36,923
Pictured: Yanni Gourde
Paul Beaty/AP / Shutterstock.com
San Jose Sharks
Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,538,462
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
Potential earnings achieved: 33.33%
Average earnings for each player: $61,538
Pictured: Joe Thornton
Jim McIsaac/AP / Shutterstock.com
Carolina Hurricanes
Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,538,462
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
Potential earnings achieved: 33.33%
Average earnings for each player: $61,538
Pictured: Anton Forsberg
Matt Slocum/AP / Shutterstock.com
Boston Bruins
Team’s total playoff earnings: $2,769,231
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
Potential earnings achieved: 60.00%
Average earnings for each player: $110,769
Pictured: Brad Marchand
Jeff Roberson/AP / Shutterstock.com
St. Louis Blues
Team’s total playoff earnings: $4,615,385
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
Potential earnings achieved: 100.00%
Average earnings for each player: $184,615
Pictured: Justin Faulk
HE Photography / Shutterstock.com
MLB
No group of pro athletes stands to lose more due to the coronavirus pandemic than baseball players. While players in the NFL can at least hold out hopes that things will improve enough by the fall, and NBA and NHL players at least completed a majority of their seasons prior to seeing things shut down, baseball players were just arriving for spring training when it became clear that the regular season was not going to start on time — if at all.
It’s still possible the MLB will be able to hold a partial regular season and postseason, but if they don’t, here’s what each team would have received in playoff bonuses:
Wild-card losers: $1,212,917
Division series losers: $2,627,987
League championship series losers: $9,703,337
World Series loser: $19,406,675
World Series winner: $29,110,012
John Froschauer/AP / Shutterstock.com
Oakland A's
Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,212,917
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 4.17%
Average earnings for each player: $15,932
Pictured: Matt Chapman, left, Matt Olson, center, and Jesus Luzardo
David Zalubowski/AP / Shutterstock.com
Milwaukee Brewers
Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,212,917
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 4.17%
Average earnings for each player: $15,932
Pictured: Lorenzo Cain
John Minchillo/AP / Shutterstock.com
Atlanta Braves
Team’s total playoff earnings: $2,627,987
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 9.03%
Average earnings for each player: $34,518
Pictured: Ozzie Albies
Mark J Terrill/AP / Shutterstock.com
Los Angeles Dodgers
Team’s total playoff earnings: $2,627,987
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 9.03%
Average earnings for each player: $34,518
Pictured: Clayton Kershaw
Elise Amendola/AP / Shutterstock.com
Tampa Bay Rays
Team’s total playoff earnings: $2,627,987
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 9.03%
Average earnings for each player: $34,518
Pictured: Ji-Man Choi
Frank Franklin II/AP / Shutterstock.com
Minnesota Twins
Team’s total playoff earnings: $2,627,987
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 9.03%
Average earnings for each player: $34,518
Pictured: Miguel Sano, left, and Max Kepler
JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com
New York Yankees
Team’s total playoff earnings: $9,703,337
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 33.33%
Average earnings for each player: $127,453
Pictured: Gerrit Cole
Jeff Roberson/AP / Shutterstock.com
St. Louis Cardinals
Team’s total playoff earnings: $9,703,337
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 33.33%
Average earnings for each player: $127,453
Pictured: Yadier Molina
Nick Wass/AP / Shutterstock.com
Houston Astros
Team’s total playoff earnings: $19,406,675
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 66.67%
Average earnings for each player: $254,905
Pictured: Justin Verlander
David J Phillip/AP / Shutterstock.com
Washington Nationals
Team’s total playoff earnings: $29,110,012
Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $29,110,012
Potential earnings achieved: 100.00%
Average earnings for each player: $382,358
Pictured: The Washington Nationals celebrate after winning Game 7 of the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros.
Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at collective bargaining agreements and players playoff benefit pools across the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to determine how much players make for their league’s respective playoffs. Using these sources from Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League, GOBankingrates found the following for each league’s most recent playoff teams: (1) total postseason earnings; (2) total potential postseason earning for each team; (3) percent of potential postseason earnings achieved; and (4) average postseason earning for each individual player. All data was collected on and up to date as of March 23, 2020.
