How Much Athletes Make for Playoff Runs in the NBA, NFL and Other Sports

The coronavirus 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 wasn’t top of mind for most people, it still represented a painful step.

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However, while the pain for sports fans was potentially missing out on the excitement of postseasons, for the athletes themselves it was 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.

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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 could have affected the finances of the world’s best athletes — and still might in the future.

Last updated: July 26, 2021

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

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• Player’s total playoff earnings: $28,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 11.72%

Pictured: Josh Allen

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• Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 12.81%

Pictured: Jason Kelce

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• Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 12.81%

Pictured: Drew Brees

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $242,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 12.81%

Pictured: Julian Edelman

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $31,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 14.69%

Pictured: Earl Thomas

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $59,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 24.69%

Pictured: Kirk Cousins

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $59,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 24.69%

Pictured: Russell Wilson

• 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

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $87,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 41.23%

Pictured: Za’Darius Smith

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $115,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 48.12%

Pictured: Taylor Lewan

• Player’s total playoff earnings: $149,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 70.62%

Pictured: Jimmy Garoppolo

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• Player’s total playoff earnings: $211,000
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
• Potential earnings achieved: 100.00%

Pictured: Patrick Mahomes

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $530,658
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,390,480
• Potential earnings achieved: 9.84%
• Average earnings for each player: $31,215

Pictured: Donovan Mitchell

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $530,658
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,390,480
• Potential earnings achieved: 9.84%
• Average earnings for each player: $31,215

Pictured: Victor Oladipo

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $976,139
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,451,031
• Potential earnings achieved: 17.91%
• Average earnings for each player: $57,420

Pictured: Enes Kanter

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $976,139
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,451,031
• Potential earnings achieved: 17.91%
• Average earnings for each player: $57,420

Pictured: James Harden

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,036,690
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $5,511,582
• Potential earnings achieved: 18.81%
• Average earnings for each player: $60,982

Pictured: Ben Simmons

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $1,146,113
• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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: Alex Ovechkin

• 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: Sidney Crosby

• 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: Matt Duchene

• 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: Laurent Brossoit

• 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: Andrew Mangiapane

• 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: Nate Schmidt

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $615,385
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
• Potential earnings achieved: 13.33%
• Average earnings for each player: $24,615

Pictured: Erik Johnson

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $615,385
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
• Potential earnings achieved: 13.33%
• Average earnings for each player: $24,615

Pictured: Jamie Oleksiak

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $615,385
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
• Potential earnings achieved: 13.33%
• Average earnings for each player: $24,615

Pictured: Michael Dal Colle

• Team’s total playoff earnings: $615,385
• Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $4,615,385
• Potential earnings achieved: 13.33%
• Average earnings for each player: $24,615

Pictured: Pierre-Luc Dubois

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• Team’s total playoff earnings: $923,077
• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Here’s what each team receives in playoff bonuses for the MLB:

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

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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.