NBA reportedly discussing cash prize for winners of potential in-season tournament

Share

Oct 23, 2019; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the press during the 2023 NB All-Star announcement at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Last month, reporting came to light that inidicated the NBA was discussing a number of changes to its regular season schedule, including a potential 30-team in-season tournament.

Weeks later, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added another wrinkle to the discussion, tweeting Friday afternoon that the NBA is considering a $1 million per player cash prize for winning the potential tournamnet:

At the time of the original report (from Zach Lowe and Wojnarowski), 'compensation' for competing in and winning the tournament was vaguely alluded to, but without much in the way of specifics. Anything from draft picks, to monetary imbursement, to even a playoff-seeding boost felt plausible — though it's difficult to envision a scenario where every  team is fully engaged. In the current NBA, every game is played (or not played) with an eye on either the postseason or the draft. It will be difficult for any in-season tournament to address all the concerns teams are likely to raise.

Per Wojnarowski, the NBA needs 23 teams (two-thirds of the league) and the NBAPA to agree to the schedule changes the tournament would cause at the Board of Governors meeting in April for said changes to be implemented for the 2021-22 season.

Attention Dish and Sling customers! You have lost your Bulls games on NBC Sports Chicago. To switch providers, visit mysportschicago.com

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Bulls easily on your device.

Contact Us