{"id":677160,"date":"2026-06-01T03:35:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T03:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/677160\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T03:35:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T03:35:24","slug":"wings-news-arike-ogunbowale-keeps-it-real-on-commissioners-cup-money-prize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/677160\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings news: Arike Ogunbowale keeps it real on Commissioner’s Cup money prize"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Wings<\/a> will open the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on Monday as they host the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. The Wings will gun for their third straight win<\/a>, while the Storm will try to stop a two-game losing streak.<\/p>\n

The Wings did not have success in last year’s edition of the in-season tournament. The Indiana Fever won the title, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in the knockout finals.<\/p>\n

Dallas has looked impressive to start the campaign, sitting on a 5-3 record. With Paige Bueckers<\/a>, Arike Ogunbowale<\/a>, Azzi Fudd, and Jessica Shepard leading the charge, the Wings could be a major threat in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.<\/p>\n

Ogunbowale kept it real when she asked about the possibility of claiming the $500,000 prize<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how much money you get, it\u2019s always good to make more money. So definitely, that’s a motivation,\u201d said the four-time All-Star in the video posted by The IX Sports’ Melissa Triebwasser.<\/p>\n

I asked Arike Ogunbowale about the cash prize as a motivator in the Commissioners Cup as well as Paige Bueckers\u2019 debut jersey selling for more than her rookie salary:<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how much money you get, it\u2019s always good to make more money.\u201d#wingsup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VBdkokOaEQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Melissa Triebwasser (@TheCoachMelissa) May 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Instituted in 2021, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup has seen a different champion every year. The Wings are looking to become the sixth titlist, joining the Fever, the Storm, the Lynx, the Las Vegas Aces, and the New York Liberty.<\/p>\n

Ogunbowale, meanwhile, was also asked about Buecker’s debut jersey selling for $65,000 at a recent auction<\/a>, which was worth more than the veteran guard’s rookie salary in 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cRookie contracts were really, really small. If you didn’t have another job, you had to get one, or you wouldn’t be able to survive. Now, obviously, this can be your major source of income. Even without endorsements, you’ll be okay with just your W contract,\u201d noted Ogunbowale.<\/p>\n

Ogunbowale was limited to just 18 minutes in their upset of the Aces, 95-87, on Thursday due to an illness.<\/p>\n

The Dallas Wings will open the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on Monday as they host the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. The Wings will gun for their third straight win, while the Storm will try to stop a two-game losing streak. The Wings did not have success in last year’s edition of the in-season tournament.<\/p>\n