Kate Linklark, who was sidelined due to injury, raises questions about whether she will receive a bonus following the Indiana Fever’s win in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship, as originally reported by Athlon Sports. Caitlyn Clark missed the final game because of a groin injury, marking her third consecutive absence for health reasons, yet Indiana Fever still triumphed over the Minnesota Links on Tuesday.
Despite being heavy underdogs and without Clark, the Fever put in a strong performance with a well-rounded scoring effort to compensate for the absence of their star players. Five players scored in double digits, led by Natasha Howard’s 16 points and 12 rebounds. Aliyah Boston contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, guiding the Fever to a 74-59 victory.
This win earned the Fever a $500,000 prize pool, with previous champions’ players receiving $30,000 each. Coinbase also added $120,000 in cryptocurrency to the prize pool, including $5,000 worth of crypto per player in the championship game, according to the WNBA.
Although Clark didn’t play in the championship game, she is still expected to receive a portion of the prize pool. She participated in two Commissioner Cup games, helping the team secure a 4-1 record in the Eastern Conference and a place in the finals. In those games, the All-Star guard averaged 26 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block per game.
Clark is justified in receiving a significant share of the prize money, especially given her remarkable contributions despite missing much of the tournament. The prize money exceeds $40,000, which is significant compared to many WNBA players’ salaries—Clark has earned only $78,000 in the 2025 season so far.
Fan Take: This news highlights the growing financial incentives in the WNBA, rewarding players not only for their regular season performance but also their contributions to landmark events like the Commissioner’s Cup. It’s a promising sign for the league’s future, as increased prize money helps recognize and support the players, potentially attracting more talent and raising the sport’s profile.
