Do NBA players get paid for the All-Star Game? How much?
The NBA All-Star game is a peculiar thing. On one side, the league’s best are on show. On the other, there is nothing at stake meaning if an injury occurs it could be catastrophic.
In recent years, the NBA has tried to increase the competitiveness of its All-Star Game by increasing the prize money on offer. Of course, relative to what players make in just their contracts alone, the amount is but a drop in the vast pool of their finances. Yet, according to some, it has made a difference.
Can prize money inspire competitiveness in the All-Star Game?
All Star games, across all sports, have one problem in common. The players are less than competitive. Of course, it’s hard to place the blame on the players, when you consider what is on the line. A top athlete is paid a salary for what they do for their team, not the league. Being selected to play in what is essentially a fan-pleasing exhibition is, of course, an honor. But a pulled hamstring or a damaged ligament could see your season end, possibly placing your contract in jeopardy in a game that has no bearing on the season.
The NBA’s solution to this problem has been the introduction of a purse. Since 2018, each player on the winning team will receive $100,000 while the runners up will take home $25,000 a piece. The NBA is confident that the $75,000 gap will ensure that the players will truly compete for the trophy and to be fair, the gamble has paid off as evidenced by the comments of some players. “That’ll certainly make it more interesting,” said Kyrie Irving. “That’s a huge difference.” There was also Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson who echoed the statement saying, “I think it will help, for sure. That’s a lot of money.” Even his teammate Steph Curry weighed in on the situation as he spoke to the players’ mentality. “That’s significant. For some players, they just want to see [the game] being worth their time.”
Does the NBA have a point?
The NBA has a firm grasp on the idea that players play for money. Not the love of the game. Not honor. Not respect. Not pride. Money. The very concept of “one-and-done” was birthed by the NBA and for all of the purists decrying the ever-escalating player fees, it is an idea that was a long time coming. The fact that this model is being explored by other sports should tell you that perhaps the NBA had it right. After all, these players are giving everything, their youth, their health, their lives, to this game. The league is awash with cash and it is only fitting that the gladiators who entertain us should have some of it.
Hopefully, with a $75,000 prize gap, the fans will see their favorite players from around the league giving a fighting effort toward ensuring that they wind up on the winning side. After all, who wants to be runner up if it means losing that much cash?