Here is a comprehensive summary of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup:

The WNBA Commissioner's Cup (presented by Coinbase since 2022) is an in-season tournament that runs during the first half of the regular season, featuring 60 designated games across all 15 teams to determine the top squad from each conference. Originally scheduled for 2020, the competition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was first awarded in 2021, with its inaugural final held at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The format pits the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion, reviving the conference rivalry that was dropped from the playoffs in 2015, and since 2024 has consisted of home-and-away games against each team's five conference rivals. The stakes are substantial, with a total prize pool of $500,000, giving winning players roughly $30,000 each (plus an extra $5,000 for the MVP) and $10,000 to losing players, alongside the Commissioner's Cup Trophy. A notable record is held by the New York Liberty, who became the first team to win the tournament twice, taking the title in both 2023 and 2026. This exciting mid-season battle adds a competitive edge and significant financial rewards for players before the traditional playoff push begins.