The NBA Cup, or the Emirates Cup as it is called now, is the NBA’s third annual in-season competition. It will crown a champion on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas. The tournament has quickly evolved into a marquee mid-season event since its debut in 2023. It was designed to inject excitement into the winter stretch of the NBA calendar. At the heart of it all stands the NBA Cup Trophy, a gleaming symbol of innovation and ambition. This year, the championship will kick off on October 31. And before it does, let us take a look at the prize that awaits the champions.

What does the NBA cup trophy look like?

The NBA Cup Trophy stands as the official prize of the league’s mid-season competition. With a height of 23 inches and weighing 35 pounds, it is an intricately crafted trophy with design elements that conform to its maker’s philosophy. It is made of sterling silver, black ceramic, and coated in 24-karat gold vermeil, giving it a radiant and modern finish.

At first glance, the most captivating feature is its eight prongs that are 18 inches long, inspired by the setting of a diamond ring. The area or the base where the diamond sits on a ring was the inspiration behind the prongs. The base carries intricate net detailing, representing the mix of the Eastern and Western Conferences. While the underside carries the NBA In-Season Tournament logo.

How much is the NBA Cup trophy worth?

The NBA has not publicly disclosed the exact worth of the NBA Cup Trophy. What is known is that it’s literally crafted to the likeness of a piece of jewelry. And a precious one at that. The inclusion of premium materials such as gold and sterling silver is part of most sports and their ceremonies. What was so unique about the Cup trophy was the black ceramic and 24-karat gold vermeil. This was not only a design upgrade, but it also suggests a significant production cost.

For comparison, the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, the NBA Finals winners’ crown, is valued at approximately US $13,500, as per the USA Today reports. While we do not intend to compare the NBA Cup Trophy with the same legacy as the O’Brien, its intricate design and symbolic status cannot be ignored. As the centerpiece of the league’s mid-season competition, it is one of the most distinctive awards in modern basketball. Some experts estimate its value to fall between $50,000 and $100,000.

Who makes the NBA Cup Trophy, and how is it crafted?

The NBA Cup Trophy is brought to life by Tiffany & Co. In collaboration with artist Victor Solomon. It is handcrafted at Tiffany’s renowned hollowware workshop in Cumberland in Rhode Island. The piece continues the brand’s tradition of producing the most prestigious trophies in American sports. From NFL to MLB, there is always something in store at Tiffany’s. The NBA Cup’s design, however, marks a clear departure from classic aesthetics. It is a shift from the traditional designs that Tiffany has made for the NBA.

Tiffany & Co.’s legacy with the NBA began in 1977, when the luxury jeweler designed and handcrafted its first-ever basketball trophy. They design a total of 7 NBA cups, including the WNBA trophies. In 2022, the trophies went through a transformation. A redesign of sorts.

The NBA Larry O’Brien Trophy is the first one to be redesigned. Standing 25.5 inches tall and weighing 29 pounds, the trophy features a regulation-size basketball and a sleek two-tier cylindrical base. According to the Tiffany & Co. website, “The Larry O’Brien Trophy has space for the next 25 years of champions and includes the names of all previous winning teams on the two-level cylindrical base.”

That same 2022 redesign marked new honors to celebrate conference greatness. The Larry Bird Eastern Conference MVP Trophy and the Earvin “Magic” Johnson Western Conference MVP Trophy were unveiled. They also revealed the newly renamed Bob Cousy Eastern Conference Championship Trophy and Oscar Robertson Western Conference Championship Trophy.

2023 was when the collaboration reached new creative heights. They introduced the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Trophy and also the In-Season Tournament MVP Trophy. Both are meticulously crafted. According to Tiffany, each of these new trophies took over 21 weeks to complete, with more than 240 hours of artisan labor behind it.

How does the NBA Cup Trophy compare to other major NBA trophies?

The NBA Cup Trophy stands apart from the league’s other major awards in meaning. The trophies are not just prizes; they signify the journey of a player in the NBA, right from their first games, till the moment they get to hold the precious prize. Each trophy carries meaning. The Larry O’Brien Trophy represents the ultimate season-ending triumph. It is the culmination of an 82-game-long season.

 The NBA Cup celebrates mid-season excellence. It can be a bridge between tradition and modernity. The Conference Championship trophies, named after Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, serve as milestones toward the Finals. Many experts have claimed the NBA Cup to be a self-contained competition.

From a craftsmanship standpoint, Tiffany has truly created unique pieces in both the O’Brien and the NBA Cup trophies. They share a foundation of the same materials, sterling silver and 24-karat gold vermeil. But what makes a trophy truly unique? It is the reason, the intent behind seeking it. The NBA Cup’s black ceramic accents and modern prong design may distinguish it from all its predecessors, in both design and meaning. The O’Brien’s classic globe-on-hoop silhouette is a symbol of the NBA’s longevity.

Though it doesn’t yet rival the Larry O’Brien Trophy in prestige, it represents a fresh sense of competition that keeps the NBA’s story evolving, year after year.