Project B: Global Women’s Basketball League Puts WNBA Under Threat

Project B, a new global women’s basketball league set to launch in 2026 is already making waves with its unprecedented player compensation and ambitious international plans as compared to WNBA.

According to Front Office Sports, the league is offering players salaries starting at $2 million per year, with multiyear deals potentially reaching eight figures, alongside equity stakes in the league.

This is a dramatic increase over the WNBA’s current supermax of $249,244.

Nigeria descent Seattle Storm star and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike has already signed as Project B’s first player, and reports indicate that a fourth major player is set to join the league this fall, winter, and spring competition window.

Officially announced in October, Project B plans to host tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America from November 2026 through April 2027.

Founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice, the league has quickly drawn attention by offering top WNBA talent not only lucrative contracts but also equity, similar to models seen in other emerging women’s sports ventures such as Unrivaled.

Project B — a new global women’s basketball league launching in 2026 — is offering players $2M+ per year, with multiyear deals worth 8 figures and equity stakes, per @FOS

That’s far above the WNBA’s current $249K supermax 😳

Seattle Storm star and WNBPA president Nneka… pic.twitter.com/Xl9p86wYFM

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2025

Several other WNBA players have reportedly signed on, signaling Project B’s intent to establish itself as a premier global platform.

The league’s timing and structure pose a direct challenge to Unrivaled and other international competitions that occur during the WNBA offseason, as Project B’s tournaments will overlap with those schedules.

Meanwhile, the WNBA and the union recently agreed to a 30-day extension, moving the new collective bargaining agreement deadline to November 30.

The league had no comment when asked about Project B’s potential impact, but the financial and structural advantages offered by the new venture could reshape the landscape of professional women’s basketball globally.