Do NBA Players Get Free Tickets to Games? (2024)

Tickets to pro sporting events are often really expensive. NBA players do have an opportunity to help out their friends and family by giving away free tickets to games.

NBA players often report that they’re inundated with ticket requests from family and friends. Some have even hired staff to help distribute their free tickets. Here are the rules that come with these free tickets.

Complimentary tickets for NBA players

According to the NBA collective bargaining agreement, teams can give their players, coaches, and support staff up to four tickets for home games and two tickets for road games. All of the teams reserve these tickets, which means about 100 tickets for each game are not for sale.

These reserved tickets are in the lower bowl but not on the floor or in a luxury suite. The home team’s tickets are generally near the home team bench, and the away team’s tickets are near the visitors’ bench.

NBA players who’ve been in the league the longest can claim the best seats. Players do often give away their home tickets, but their away tickets aren’t always claimed. Interestingly, players do have to pay taxes on these tickets, since they’re considered a fringe benefit in addition to salary.

The rules for NBA players’ tickets

The free tickets do come with restrictions. Players are not allowed to sell these tickets; if they do, they won’t receive any more in the future. The free tickets can’t be transferred to players on other teams. Also, players can’t accept tickets from other teams.

NBA players can, though, give their tickets to teammates if someone needs more than their regular set of four. If a player doesn’t use or give away his tickets, the home team’s box office can offer those tickets for sale right before the game.

Players can even give their tickets to strangers. The Salt Lake Tribune notes that Thabo Sefolosha, now with the Rockets, gave away tickets on Instagram when he played for the Jazz. He offered his two away tickets in Brooklyn to a winner who followed him, liked the post, and tagged five friends.

Players can buy more tickets as long as they pay the price that season ticket holders are charged for that game. Some players like to purchase more tickets to give away. The Salt Lake Tribune named Dante Exum, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, and Ricky Rubio as buying 30 tickets at home games to donate to nonprofit organizations.

Tickets for former NBA players

The collective bargaining agreement does allow retired NBA players who played for three or more years to buy two tickets to their former team’s home games at box office prices. They do have to request the tickets 48 hours before the game begins.

What NBA tickets are worth

Snagging one of these free tickets can be a big score since many teams’ tickets are very expensive and worth a lot. In the 2019–20 season, the Lakers have the most expensive ones, going for an average price of $473 in the secondary market.

The Golden State Warriors have the second most expensive tickets at $458. All other teams’ tickets are less than $300. The Minnesota Timberwolves have the least expensive tickets at $58.

In 2018, the two most expensive games, according to TicketIQ, were when Steph Curry and the Warriors played LeBron James and the Lakers on Christmas Day and in February. The average secondary market price for these games was $1,768 and $1,378 respectively.

Congratulations to anyone lucky enough to get a free ticket from a player.

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Do NBA Players Get Free Tickets to Games? (2024)

FAQs

Can NBA players get free tickets? ›

NBA players who've been in the league the longest can claim the best seats. Players do often give away their home tickets, but their away tickets aren't always claimed. Interestingly, players do have to pay taxes on these tickets, since they're considered a fringe benefit in addition to salary.

Do NBA players get a check every game? ›

The NBA doles out checks on the first and 15th of each month, just like many other businesses. But, unlike your average U.S. business, the amounts on those checks are seven figures for the top players. So GOBankingRates wanted to see what the top 10 players make, in terms of bi-weekly checks.

What benefits do NBA players get? ›

This means a three-year retired NBA player would get a pension of $2,400 per month. Of course, an NBA pension includes other benefits, too, such as lifetime healthcare insurance, both for themselves and their families (for 10-year plus veterans).

Do NBA players get free shoes every game? ›

NBA players also have a lot of extra pairs in case they need to change them throughout the season. So NBA players don't wear new sneakers every game. But most NBA players do have at least two or three on hand during each basketball season.

How many tickets does each player get? ›

Each player on the roster is given two complimentary tickets and then has the option to buy up to 13 more at face value, which means each player has access to up to 15 tickets.

Do NBA players get free food? ›

For each full day you're on the road, you'll receive a per-diem in cash for your dining expenses.

Do NBA players pay for seats? ›

Complimentary tickets for NBA players

According to the NBA collective bargaining agreement, teams can give their players, coaches, and support staff up to four tickets for home games and two tickets for road games. All of the teams reserve these tickets, which means about 100 tickets for each game are not for sale.

Do benched players get paid? ›

Do footballers get paid when benched? Unless a player is suspended, he gets his base salary whether he plays are not. However, many players have incentive clauses in their contracts.

Do NBA players get new shoes every game? ›

Some do, some don't. It really all depends on the player. Some players like to break in their shoes and get rid of them after they're worn down. Others like to play with a fresh pair every game…

How much is Michael Jordan pension? ›

Jordan is 35. The pension, at about $98 million, is the only retirement plan at the NBA. There's no profit sharing and no 401(k) plan to make retirement a little easier. Despite the modest pension, there's no reason to worry about Mr.

Do owners get NBA rings? ›

Championship rings are given out by the winning team's owners, not the league. And since they are paying for them, they can give out as few or as many as they want.

Is working for the NBA worth it? ›

73% of NBA employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated NBA 3.4 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 3.6 for career opportunities.

What do NBA players do in their free time? ›

For some NBA players, free time means streaming NBA 2K, Fortnite, Call of Duty or League of Legends on Twitch. Lucky for them, famous streamers are some of the most-followed people on the Amazon-owned platform. Below is an overview of popular NBA Twitch streamers and what games they broadcast: Karl Anthony Towns—PUBG.

What do NBA players do after a game? ›

Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy, or ice baths, have been around and used by many for a long time for recovery. At least every athlete in the world has experienced cryotherapy. Players fill a bathtub full of ice and water, then submerge themselves inside it for at least 15 minutes.

Do NBA players get a week off? ›

Players need to take one to two full weeks off after their last game. This is non-negotiable. They must rest their minds and their bodies.

Do Waterboys travel with NFL teams? ›

That said, Thieneman was sure to point out the benefits of the role. As he explained, water boys also get to travel with the team and spend time with players, in addition to other perks.

Do NFL players get free tickets to the Super Bowl? ›

With the 1.2% allotted to each team, every player, as well as everyone on each team's coaching staff, gets two free tickets. Then, players have the opportunity to buy 13 more at face value. Next, the host stadium's team gets about 10% of the overall allotment.

What is a stadium pass at the players? ›

A Stadium Pass is a grounds ticket that grants you general grounds access, as well as entry to open-to-the-public spaces at THE PLAYERS Championship.

Do NBA players fly first class? ›

In the NBA, players are entitled to fly first class on all flights longer than an hour. A head coach can bump a player out of first class, but only if eight players are already flying up front.

Do NBA players fly private? ›

It is not uncommon for NBA teams to charter private planes or use commercial airlines to transport their players, coaches, and staff to games and events. However, it is not clear how many teams actually own their own private planes.

Do pro athletes pay for travel? ›

If you make the team, life gets even cushier. Whenever possible during the regular and post-season, teams must pay for first-class jet air and hotel accommodations for any required travel.

Do celebrities pay to sit courtside? ›

Generally speaking, VIPs don't pay for these seats, Pistore said. But there is a tit-for-tat expected. Number one, those celebrities will have their face broadcast on the scoreboard at some point during the game. And many will also get involved in one of the sideshows.

How much is a courtside ticket NBA? ›

The average courtside ticket during the regular season generally costs around $1,500.00. However, ticket prices vary depending on seasonality (regular season vs playoffs), which teams are playing and the specific location. If you're looking for NBA courtside tickets, SeatGeek is your best option.

Do NBA refs fly first class? ›

The NBA paid for a first class airline ticket for flights lasting longer than two hours and a full fare coach seat on flights shorter than two hours. In turn, the referees were permitted to downgrade their first class tickets and pocket the cost difference.

Do players get paid after every game? ›

Long story short, each NFL player under contract gets paid every week from the start of the season and up to its end. Game checks are usually deposited into the players' bank accounts on Monday mornings, although the exact day of the week when they get paid could vary from week to week.

How much do NBA players make on 10 day contracts? ›

NBA 10-day contracts ranged from $61,000 to $175,000 and last exactly 10 days. The exact dollar value of the contract is determined by the player's experience and years in the NBA. After a 10-day contract, the team must choose to keep the player on the squad or release him.

Do NBA players get signing bonuses? ›

NBA players don't need the security of cash up front, so NBA signing bonuses are negligible. MLB players, like NBA stars, also get paid the full contract amount, even if they're cut.

Do NBA players fly home after games? ›

Do NBA players go home after games? Some do, some don't. It really depends on the player, if they're married. Maybe they have kids maybe they don't.

How much gear do NBA players get? ›

They basically get store credit and can order anything they want online (from sneakers to clothes to women's and children's apparel for their family). Most players on a merch deal have a $25,000 product allowance, but that amount is negotiable.

Why do NBA players wear double socks? ›

You can commonly see basketball players of all ages wearing two pairs of long socks during a game or practice. The double-layer helps eliminate friction between your foot, the shoe and the ankle brace.

Do professional athletes get free tickets? ›

Players do often give away their home tickets, but their away tickets aren't always claimed. Interestingly, players do have to pay taxes on these tickets, since they're considered a fringe benefit in addition to salary.

Do celebrities have to pay for courtside seats? ›

Generally speaking, VIPs don't pay for these seats, Pistore said. But there is a tit-for-tat expected. Number one, those celebrities will have their face broadcast on the scoreboard at some point during the game. And many will also get involved in one of the sideshows.

Who has the cheapest tickets in the NBA? ›

Which NBA Teams Offer the Most Affordable Home Games?
RankTeamMedian Resale Ticket Price
1Cleveland Cavaliers$42.00
2Indiana Pacers$55.00
3Dallas Mavericks$52.00
4Memphis Grizzlies$55.00
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How much do NBA Courtside tickets cost? ›

The average courtside ticket during the regular season generally costs around $1,500.00. However, ticket prices vary depending on seasonality (regular season vs playoffs), which teams are playing and the specific location. If you're looking for NBA courtside tickets, SeatGeek is your best option.

Do NBA players go home after games? ›

If it is a home game then they go home. Away games mean transportation to the next away game or back home. It would depend on the location of the game and the individual. “Do NBA players go home after games?”

What do NBA players do at halftime? ›

N.b.a. players go to the locker room at the half, N.b.a. half times are 15 minutes long, of that time players spend 5 minutes getting to and from the locker room.

Are NBA players paid per game? ›

NBA Player Average Salary

Each NBA team plays 82 games during the regular season. This means that players, on average, make about $91,463 per game. Since each NBA game has 48 minutes of regulation time, NBA players make about $1,905 per minute each game on average.

Are NBA courtside tickets worth it? ›

The biggest advantage of sitting in courtside seats is getting a better view and feel of the game than just about anyone else. You can hear the trash talk between players. You can eavesdrop on what the coaches say in the huddle or chuckle at what they yell at the referees.

Do NBA players pay for their hotels? ›

Owners also provide the lodging for the players, and this means putting them in four and five-star hotels. With one of the greatest unions in the world behind them, players have ensured that even when they are on the road in a grueling schedule, they are afforded every luxury within reason.

What do celebrities get for free? ›

Being a celebrity comes with some serious perks.
...
Click through to learn about all the free celebrity perks A-listers are accustomed to — and how to score free stuff online for yourself.
  • Vacations. ...
  • Tech Toys. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Club Access. ...
  • Luxury Handbags. ...
  • High-End Clothes. ...
  • Designer Shoes. ...
  • Baby Products.
Aug 19, 2020

What NBA team has the most expensive tickets? ›

New York Knicks have the most expensive tickets in the NBA

There really isn't another arena in the United States that has the kind of appeal to natives and tourists together, like the Madison Square Garden.

How much is the most expensive NBA ticket? ›

The Lakers are set to take on the Heat on December 28 and watching Lebron James take on his former team is guaranteed to end the year on an exciting note. The showdown at the FTX area will cost up to $29,700 if you want to get an up-close view of the 2020 NBA Finals rematch.

What's the most expensive NBA team? ›

NBA's most valuable franchises
  • Golden State Warriors - $7.56 billion (25% increase since 2021)
  • New York Knicks - $6.58 billion (8% increase since 2021)
  • Los Angeles Lakers - $6.44 billion (14% increase since 2021)
  • Chicago Bulls - $4.09 billion (16% increase since 2021)
Dec 15, 2022

How much is a VIP room in NBA? ›

After more than 15 years in the Luxury Suite business, our team is passionate about helping you live the suite life.
...
How much does a NBA Playoff suite or club seat cost?
Event TypeAverage Cost
NHL & NBA Suites$4,000 - $8,000
MLB Suites$3,000 - $6,000
Concert Suites$5,000 - $15,000
1 more row

What do courtside tickets include? ›

Enjoy the best seats in the house plus access to the most exclusive club in the house, the Lexus Lounge. With complimentary parking adjacent to Golden 1 Center and seats just inches away from the game, you're always close to the action.

How much are Laker floor seats? ›

Los Angeles Lakers courtside tickets often cost anywhere from $850 to $4200. Depending on who they're playing, these tickets' prices might differ. Additionally, you may anticipate that the prices will be a little higher if the match occurs on a Saturday.

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