What's Happening?
Liberty center Jonquel Jones, along with Alyssa Thomas from the Phoenix Mercury and Nneka Ogwumike from the Storm, have announced their participation in the new Project B league. This league aims to offer
higher salaries than those currently available in the WNBA and will feature 66 players across six teams. The league is set to run from November to April, competing directly with the Unrivaled three-on-three league. Project B is expected to play in Europe and Asia starting in November 2026. There have been concerns about Saudi Arabia's involvement, but co-founder Grady Burnett has denied any financial backing from Saudi Arabia, although Sela, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, is an event partner.
Why It's Important?
The creation of Project B represents a significant shift in the landscape of women's basketball, offering players an alternative to the WNBA with potentially higher financial incentives. This could lead to increased competition for talent and influence the dynamics of player contracts and league operations. The involvement of international locations for games may also expand the global reach and popularity of women's basketball. However, the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia's involvement could impact the league's reputation and acceptance among players and fans.
What's Next?
As Project B prepares for its inaugural season, it will need to finalize team rosters and secure venues for games in Europe and Asia. The league's financial structure and partnerships will be closely scrutinized, especially regarding any potential ties to Saudi Arabia. Players and stakeholders will be watching to see how Project B's offerings compare to those of the WNBA and other leagues, potentially influencing future player decisions and league strategies.
