Let’s be clear: Every player on the field at the Super Bowl is thinking about the Lombardi trophy and a ring, but there can only be one winner. That said, this is one situation where losing has its benefits as well.
All of the players who took part in Super Bowl LIX will see a sizable financial reward from the league. Exactly how much they’ll earn depends on a few things, however.
How much will the winners of the Super Bowl LIX get paid?
Each member of the winning team will receive $171,000, according to the terms of the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL Players Association and the NFL. That’s a $7,000 bump over last year’s total. Winners of the 2026 Super Bowl will receive $178,000.
How much will the losers of the Super Bowl LIX get paid?
It doesn’t erase the sting of defeat, but the $96,000 losing players earn for today’s game might act as a mild salve. Next year’s runner-up will see payments of $103,000 per player.
Does every player get paid the same amount?
They don’t. The amount of today’s payday bonus depends on their length of time in the league and their roster status. Benchwarmers get something, but not as much as starters. Some players, in fact, will only receive half of the amounts mentioned above. Here’s who gets what.
Players get a full bonus if…
- They’ve played at least three previous games during the regular season or playoffs and are on the team’s active or inactive list when the Super Bowl is played.
- They’ve played at least eight previous games (regular or postseason), regardless of whether they’re on the active/inactive list or not.
- They’re a veteran player who was injured during the regular season, but are still under contract.
Players get 50% of the bonus if…
- They’ve played fewer than three previous games during the regular season or playoffs and are on the team’s active or inactive list when the Super Bowl is played.
- They’re not on the active/inactive list, but played between three and seven games during the regular season or playoffs.
- They’re a first-year player who was injured during the regular season, but are still under contract.