WNBA Announces Prize Money Increase for Winning 3-Point Contest, Skills Challenge

Two of the WNBA's marquee events during All-Star weekend are going to have increased payouts this season.

The WNBPA (h/t The Athletic's Ben Pickman) announced on Thursday that the winners of the three-point contest and skills challenge will receive a combined total of $115,000 as part of a renewed partnership with Aflac to sponsor the events.

Individual payouts for the three-point contest ($60,000) and skills challenge ($55,000) are equivalent to what NBA players receive.

Pickman noted the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement only allocates $2,575 for the winners each event.

This will mark the second consecutive year that Aflac is the official sponsor of the skills challenge and three-point contest. The 2024 event paid a total of $110,000 to the winners, with $55,000 allocated for each challenge.

Speaking to reporters at Sportico’s RISE: Women’s Sports in October, WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson explained the process of bringing on a sponsor to increase the prize payout after the league contacted her about trying to help encourage players to participate in the events.

Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray won both the three-point contest and skills challenge at last year's All-Star event, giving her an extra $110,000. By comparison, her entire 2024 salary with the Dream was $185,000.

The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement is a huge topic of discussion in the league right now. Players voted to opt out of the current deal in October, meaning it will now end on Oct. 31, 2025.

There is a threat of a lockout if the league and union can't agree to terms on a new CBA. The WNBA recently signed a new media rights deal that takes effect in 2026, with the league set to earn around $200 million annually under the deal.

The WNBA's current media rights deal pays the league around $60 million per season.

The 2025 WNBA season tips off with three games on May 16. This year's All-Star weekend will be held from July 18-19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.