One of the biggest questions every offseason is whether teams are required to pay next season’s franchise fee.
The answer is yes.
The $395 franchise fee for the 2026-2027 Season will automatically be deducted from each participating franchise’s Season Tour prize winnings before payouts are distributed.
For franchises that did not compete during the 2025-2026 Season Tour, the $395 franchise fee must be paid separately if they plan to return next season.
The UBA has established separate timelines for Season Tour and Team Rankings prize payouts.
Bill.com invoices will be created July 17, 2026
Payments will begin processing July 24, 2026
Bill.com invoices will be created July 24, 2026
Payments will begin processing July 31, 2026
Processing dates assume all required paperwork has been completed.
Before any funds can be distributed, every franchise owner or president must complete the Franchise Prize Claim Form.
The individual listed on the form will receive a Bill.com invitation if they do not already have an account connected to the UBA.
Once the invoice has been sent, recipients will also receive a request to upload a W-9 through Bill.com.
Important: Payments cannot be processed until the required tax documents have been completed.
Several issues can prevent your payout from being processed on time.
Common delays include:
No UBA profile on file.
Missing signed Prize Fund W-9 for winnings over $2,000.
Completing your Bill.com setup after July 24.
Failing to upload your W-9 through Bill.com.
Not accepting the Bill.com invitation.
If your Bill.com account is not fully established, your payment will be delayed.
Payments are generally processed on Wednesdays, so if your account is completed after the scheduled processing date, your payment will move to the following week’s payment cycle.
Every Bill.com invoice includes a 90-day deadline to claim your funds.
If the invoice is not accepted before that deadline:
Your prize money will be forfeited.
The UBA Financial Team cannot extend the deadline.
No exceptions will be made.
If you have already accepted your invitation but have not received payment after one week, contact the UBA Financial Team for a status update.
No.
If your franchise already has a team Bill.com account, simply indicate that on the Prize Claim Form. The UBA Financial Team will update the account to your current team name if necessary.
That’s acceptable.
If your personal Bill.com account is associated with your team’s EIN, all eligible team and tournament payouts—as well as applicable staff stipends—will continue to be deposited into that account during tax season.
If you have never submitted a W-9 through Bill.com, then yes.
A new W-9 must be uploaded and linked to your Bill.com account before payments can be processed.
The goal is to simplify tax reporting and reduce payment delays.
Previously, many members received team payouts, personal winnings, and staff stipends through the same account. Moving forward, separating these payment types will make 1099 reporting more accurate and efficient.
If you are comfortable keeping all payouts under one tax identification number, you do not need to create a separate account. Those wishing to separate personal and team payments should establish a dedicated team Bill.com account.
The UBA Financial Team will not respond to payment questions through social media.
If you have questions regarding invoices or payment processing, contact the Financial Team directly through the official communication channels.
Taking a few minutes now to complete your paperwork and verify your Bill.com account can help ensure your prize money is processed as quickly as possible.
