WNBA 2025 Commissioner’s Cup: Team Charity Partners
The WNBA’s commissioner’s Cup is underway, spotlighting team charity partners and community impact. Each team backs a chosen institution, with victories translating to donations. This year, the Las Vegas Aces’ selection of the Anti-Defamation League sparked instant controversy, triggering social media backlash. Discover how other WNBA teams are contributing during the tournament,from the Center for Black Women’s wellness to the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. News Directory 3 is following the evolution of this story closely. As the Commissioner’s Cup unfolds, are the Aces planning to shift their charity partner? Find out what the next move will be.
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup underway; Aces’ Charity Choice Draws Criticism
The WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup,an in-season tournament launched in 2021,continues to blend competition with community support. The tournament, designed to increase player earnings and benefit local charities, sees each of the 13 teams selecting an organization to support. Teams earn donations for their chosen charity with each Cup game victory. The two finalists also receive donations, and the winning team splits a $500,000 prize pool, along with $120,000 in cryptocurrency provided by coinbase.
However, the Las Vegas aces’ selection of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of Nevada has stirred controversy. The team faced immediate social media backlash,with critics pointing to the ADL’s rhetoric concerning the war in Palestine. The Aces have as removed social media posts announcing the partnership, though the WNBA website still lists the ADL as their chosen charity.
When questioned about the ADL selection, Aces head coach Becky Hammon said she was unaware of the choice. Her response highlights ongoing challenges within the WNBA regarding awareness and engagement with the Commissioner’s Cup and its charitable component.
For this season’s Commissioner’s Cup, we have selected @ADLDesert for its “No Space For Hate” initiative, which reflects the @WNBA‘s values of justice, equity, inclusion, equality, and community empowerment. pic.twitter.com/aqIz5vyu3n
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 1, 2025
Other Teams’ Charitable Partners
Here’s a look at the organizations the other 12 WNBA teams are supporting during the Commissioner’s Cup:
- Atlanta Dream: Center for Black Women’s wellness – Focuses on improving the health and well-being of underserved Black women and their families.
- Chicago Sky: BUILD, Inc. – Works to inspire hope and opportunity for youth facing systemic obstacles.
- Connecticut Sun: ACLU Connecticut – Promotes and defends civil liberties and civil rights throughout Connecticut.
- Dallas Wings: Unity Unlimited,Inc – Provides educational activities and resources to foster unity and harmony.
- Golden State Valkyries: Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice – mobilizes young leaders to end youth criminalization and mass incarceration.
- Indiana Fever: Peace Learning Center – Facilitates community learning that acts as a catalyst for peace.
- Los Angeles Sparks: Social Justice Partners LA – Invests in communities advancing racial and social justice.
- Minnesota Lynx: ACLU Minnesota – Protects the civil liberties of all Minnesotans.
- New York Liberty: Girls for Gender Equality – Centers Black girls and gender-expansive young people in reshaping culture and policy.
- Phoenix Mercury: YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix – Works to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace and justice.
- Seattle Storm: Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle – Empowers Black and other historically underserved people through social and economic justice.
- Washington Mystics: ACLU of DC – Protects and advances civil liberties and civil rights in the District of Columbia.
What’s next
The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup continues throughout June, with teams vying for a spot in the final and the chance to support their chosen charities. The league will likely address the controversy surrounding the Aces’ selection and work to ensure greater awareness and engagement with the tournament’s charitable goals in the future.