The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is a 5-on-5 basketball tournament that takes place every summer in the United States. It features teams composed of former college basketball players and professionals competing for a $1 million prize. As an open-application tournament, the question often comes up – how much do TBT players actually get paid to play?
TBT Player Salaries
The quick answer is that TBT players do not receive direct salaries or compensation for playing in the tournament. As an open-application tournament, players join teams and participate in TBT voluntarily. There is no formal player payroll system in place.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t potentially lucrative financial incentives for TBT participants. The primary incentive is the $1 million grand prize that the winning team receives. In most cases, this grand prize is split evenly amongst the team’s players and coaches. For a 12-player roster, each player could take home around $83,333 for winning the championship.
There are also smaller guaranteed prizes for teams that advance past the initial rounds but fall short of the title:
- Round of 16: $25,000 per team ($2,083 per 12 players)
- Quarterfinals: $50,000 per team ($4,167 per 12 players)
- Semifinals: $100,000 per team ($8,333 per 12 players)
- Runner-Up: $300,000 per team ($25,000 per 12 players)
Based on these payout structures, a player on the TBT championship team could make around $83,333 while a player on the runner-up could make $25,000. Reaching the semifinals would net each player around $8,333.
Additional TBT Player Compensation
Beyond the guaranteed prize money, there are a few other ways TBT players can generate income from their participation:
- Crowdfunding – Some teams pursue crowdfunding campaigns that supporters can contribute to. These funds help cover travel, lodging, and other expenses. Any excess funds are often distributed to the players.
- Sponsors – Teams often secure local or regional sponsors leading up to the tournament. Sponsor funds may be used to compensate players beyond their prize winnings.
- Contracts – For elite players, TBT can serve as an audition for professional contracts overseas or in the NBA G League. Lucrative deals may follow the tournament.
So in summary, while TBT does not offer salaries or direct payments to players, there are definitely financial incentives through prize winnings and other compensation avenues.
TBT Player Salaries Compared to Other Tournaments
It’s worth comparing TBT’s open and unpaid player participation model to other major summer basketball tournaments that do offer player salaries and contracts:
BIG3 Basketball League
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league for retired NBA players. Unlike TBT, the BIG3 offers direct player salaries and contracts:
- League captains receive $100,000 salaries
- Major names can earn $200,000+ per season
- Lesser-known players earn $10,000 – $20,000
As a formal league with lucrative corporate sponsors, the BIG3 can afford large player salaries to attract big-name talent.
Drew League
The Drew League is a pro-am basketball summer league. While it doesn’t offer formal player contracts, top performers can reportedly earn up to $20,000 directly from the league.
The Crawsover Pro-Am
This Seattle summer league hosted by NBA player Jamal Crawford also attracts high-profile players. Though no formal salaries are provided, appearance fees and under-the-table payments to players are rumored.
In contrast to these leagues, TBT has maintained its open-application, prize-driven model without direct player salaries. This gives the tournament more of a grassroots feel but makes it difficult to attract current NBA stars looking for hefty appearance fees.
Are TBT Player Salaries Likely to Increase?
While TBT has shown no indications of shifting to a formal player payroll model, there are factors that could potentially lead to increased direct player compensation in the future:
- The tournament’s popularity and revenues continue to grow each year. This could enable bigger prize pools and payouts.
- If TBT lands a major corporate title sponsor, a portion of the funds could go toward formal player salaries.
- Regional TBT tournaments are launching, which may provide additional opportunities for earnings.
- As elite players age, they may prefer TBT’s model over leagues requiring heavy minutes and travel.
However, part of TBT’s appeal is its accessibility and Cinderella stories of unknown players. Large salaries for elite players may disrupt that dynamic. The organizers may opt to keep the current model, with the majority of funds going toward the prize pools and expanding the tournament’s reach.
The Financial Reality of Playing in TBT
The lack of salaries does present financial challenges for TBT players. Top players are spending their summer months training, traveling, and competing in the tournament rather than earning income elsewhere. Many take time off work or turn down professional opportunities abroad to participate.
Unless their team goes deep in the tournament, the prize money alone may not fully compensate players for their time. Those who live far from the tournament locations also must pay for flights and lodging out of pocket. However, players viewed as difference-makers may get financial assistance from their teams’ sponsors or crowdfunding proceeds.
Ultimately, players must weigh whether the experience, exposure, and potential earnings outweigh the costs. But for many, the dream of winning $1 million and etched their names in TBT lore provides plenty of incentive on its own.
Conclusion
In the end, TBT does not offer salaries or direct payments to players. Compensation is limited to prize winnings and other potential avenues like crowdfunding, sponsors, and professional contracts. While players incur significant costs to participate, the tournament’s growth and appeal continue to drive strong interest.
As TBT expands and evolves in the coming years, direct player salaries could eventually become part of the equation. But the core prize-driven model has proven successful thus far, making major changes unlikely in the short term. Significant money can be made by going on a championship run, but players have to weigh whether the experience and exposure alone justify the investment.