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.

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

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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

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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.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Athletes Make for Playoff Runs in the NBA, NFL and Other Sports

NFL