Over the past few years, the NFL Pro Bowl has undergone some serious revamping. Instead of playing a half-paced game in full pads, the NFL has opted to turn Pro Bowl weekend into an event with a series of skills challenges that culminate with a 7-on-7 flag football game.
A lack of effort from players during the game and declining interest from fans were the driving factors for the switch. While viewership has not taken a noticeable spike since making the change, the NFL is rolling with the same format that we saw in both 2023 and 2024.
One thing that has not changed is the fact that players are compensated for their time at the Pro Bowl. Convincing players to return to the field during their time off is never easy, so they are paid well for their time and services.
Here’s a look at what 2025 Pro Bowl participants will receive in exchange for winning the Pro Bowl Games.
MORE: Complete schedule for 2025 Pro Bowl Games
How much money do the 2025 Pro Bowl winners get?
Ahead of the 2020 NFL season, the NFL and the NFL Player’s Association came to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The 2020 CBA outlined how players would be compensated for Pro Bowl appearances through the 2030 NFL season.
This year, the winners of the Pro Bowl Games will receive $92,000 for their efforts. The losers will take home a nice chunk of change, as well, with a $46,000 payday.
The 2020 CBA stipulates that Pro Bowl payments will increase each year, which is done to incentivize the league’s stars to participate. The plan hasn’t been particularly successful this year, with opt-outs popping up left and right.
Do Pro Bowlers receive a prize for winning skills competitions?
When the new CBA was signed in 2020, the Pro Bowl still primarily revolved around the full-field, fully-padded matchup between the AFC and NFC. There were some of the skills competitions at the time, but they did not take on as large of the role. As a result, it does not appear that Pro Bowlers are paid for winning skills competitions.
The NFL has not formally come out and said that skills competition winners are not paid, but it is not stipulated in the CBA, so it is unlikely that they are compensated for winning these competitions.
Pro Bowl prize money history
These days, the prize money for the Pro Bowl grows every year, as stipulated by the current CBA. However, in years past, players would go several years without seeing a pay bump for their participation in the Pro Bowl.
Beginning in 1971, Pro Bowl winners were paid $2,000 for their efforts. That price held firm until it jumped to $5,000 in 1978. More recently, the prize money has nearly doubled since 2011, when the victors were paid $45,000.
Below is a look at the history of Pro Bowl prize money from the 1971 edition of the game to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.
Year | Winner’s share | Loser’s share |
1971 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1972 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1973 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1974 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1975 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1976 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1977 | $2,000 | $1,500 |
1978 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
1979 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
1980 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
1981 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
1982 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
1983 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1984 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1985 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1986 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1987 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1988 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1989 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1990 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1991 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1992 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1993 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
1994 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
1995 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
1996 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
1997 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
1998 | $25,000 | $12,500 |
1999 | $25,000 | $12,500 |
2000 | $25,000 | $12,500 |
2001 | $30,000 | $15,000 |
2002 | $30,000 | $15,000 |
2003 | $30,000 | $15,000 |
2004 | $35,000 | $17,500 |
2005 | $35,000 | $17,500 |
2006 | $40,000 | $20,000 |
2007 | $40,000 | $20,000 |
2008 | $40,000 | $20,000 |
2009 | $45,000 | $22,500 |
2010 | $45,000 | $22,500 |
2011 | $45,000 | $22,500 |
2012 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
2013 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
2014 | $53,000 | $26,000 |
2015 | $55,000 | $28,000 |
2016 | $55,000 | $28,000 |
2017 | $61,000 | $30,000 |
2018 | $64,000 | $32,000 |
2019 | $67,000 | $34,000 |
2020 | $70,000 | $35,000 |
2021 | No Pro Bowl (COVID-19) | — |
2022 | $80,000 | $40,000 |
2023 | $84,000 | $42,000 |
2024 | $88,000 | $44,000 |
2025 | $92,000 | $46,000 |
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