WNBPA announces 2025 All-Star skills challenge, 3-point shootout earnings to increase

New York Times

17-04-2025

The prize pool for winning an event during the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis continues to increase.
On Thursday, the WNBPA announced a renewal of its partnership with Aflac to award the winners of the league's 3-point contest and skills challenge a combined total of $115,000. The payouts will be equivalent to what NBA players receive, per that league's collective bargaining agreement, for winning the 3-point shootout ($60,000) and the skills challenge ($55,000).
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The current WNBA CBA allocates just $2,575 to the winners of each event.
On the eve of last year's All-Star weekend in Phoenix, the WNBPA and Aflac announced they were providing $110,000 in supplemental prize money for the first time. Winners previously only received what was allocated in the league's CBA.
Atlanta Dream All-Star guard Allisha Gray won both events in 2024 and took home more than 62 percent of her season-long salary ($185,000 according to Her Hoop Stats) on one night as a result of doing so.
'This is the new standard. This is the new expectation,' WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told The Athletic last summer upon the initial partnership being enacted.
More money this year could draw bigger names to participate in both events. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark previously declined the opportunity to participate in this past February's NBA All-Star weekend 3-point contest, with her representatives saying in a statement that she wanted her first 3-point contest to be in Indianapolis this summer.
Talks around the first year of the partnership came together in around a week. It was so last-minute that participants in last year's events didn't know there would be an increased purse when they accepted the invites to participate.
Jackson said that the fact that the agreement was brokered in short order also serves as a reminder to brands that there are multiple ways to support athletes.
'There's no longer this need or belief that you only partner with the league or the teams,' she said.
A WNBA spokesperson previously said in a statement: 'We are always looking for ways for the players to earn more, including from corporate partners. Previously, the WNBA proactively went beyond CBA obligations to double the postseason prize money and instituting a full charter program.'
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In addition to the increased prize pool this year, Aflac and the WNBPA will create a branded WNBPA All-Star Lounge, where players will be presented with their winnings. Aflac will be an official supplemental partner of the WNBPA.
'We're excited about what's ahead as we grow this together. It's not just about the rewards; it's about building a future where our value is undeniable,' WNBPA president and Seattle Storm All-Star forward Nneka Ogwumike said.
The WNBA and WNBPA are in the middle of negotiations on a new CBA. The WNBPA has stated that it wants an equity-based model that evolves with the league's business success in its next agreement.
The 2025 skills challenge and 3-point shootout will occur on July 18, with the All-Star Game set for the next day.
(Photo courtesy of the WNBPA)