What is the impact of a player's workout bonus on the team's salary cap?

A player's workout bonus is considered to be a form of incentive compensation that is attached to their contract. When a player earns a workout bonus, typically tied to their participation in off-season conditioning programs, it impacts the team's salary cap by being included fully against the team's salary cap for that season. This means that regardless of whether the bonus is earned or not, once it is stipulated in the contract, it counts as a part of the team's total salary obligations.

In contrast, other types of bonuses might only be accounted for under certain conditions, but workout bonuses are clear in their structure; if a player qualifies for that bonus, it is recognized in that fiscal year, which could affect the team's ability to sign additional players or maintain current salaries under the salary cap.

Thus, the full inclusion of the workout bonus as a part of the Team Salary for the season when earned signifies its direct impact on the salary cap calculations, making it an important consideration for team management when planning their rosters and salary distributions.