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
NFL
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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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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
Green Bay Packers
- 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
Tennessee Titans
- Player’s total playoff earnings: $115,000
- Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $239,000
- Potential earnings achieved: 48.12%
Pictured: Taylor Lewan
San Francisco 49ers
- Player’s total playoff earnings: $149,000
- Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
- Potential earnings achieved: 70.62%
Pictured: Jimmy Garoppolo
Kansas City Chiefs
- Player’s total playoff earnings: $211,000
- Potential earnings at the start of playoffs: $211,000
- Potential earnings achieved: 100.00%
Pictured: Patrick Mahomes
NBA
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Utah Jazz
- 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
Indiana Pacers
- 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
Boston Celtics
- 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
Houston Rockets
- 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
Philadelphia 76ers
- 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
Denver Nuggets
- 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
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
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
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
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
NHL
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
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
Washington Capitals
- 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
Pittsburgh Penguins
- 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
Nashville Predators
- 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
Winnipeg Jets
- 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
Calgary Flames
- 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
Las Vegas Golden Knights
- 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
Colorado Avalanche
- 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
Dallas Stars
- 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
New York Islanders
- 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
Columbus Blue Jackets
- 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
Tampa Bay Lightning
- 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
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
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
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
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
MLB
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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.