Project B Lures WNBA Stars with Multi-Million Dollar Salaries and League Equity

A new international basketball league is shaking up women’s professional sports. WNBA stars are signing groundbreaking deals to join “Project B.” This new league is offering salaries and equity worth millions, dwarfing current WNBA pay.The moves come amid ongoing WNBA labor negotiations. Players are seeking higher compensation as the league’s popularity surges. According to Reuters, Project B’s financial offers are creating a new competitive landscape for elite talent.

Financial Figures Expose Pay Gap

The salary comparison is stark. The WNBA’s current supermax contract pays $249,244 annually. Project B is offering players annual salaries exceeding $2 million. Some multi-year contracts even reach eight figures.These offers include equity ownership in the league itself. For top veterans, this represents a nearly tenfold increase in guaranteed earnings. The WNBA’s latest proposal to its players, as reported, maxes out at $850,000.

A Roster of Elite Talent Shifts

The player commitments are significant. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is the latest to join. She is the ninth WNBA player to publicly announce her participation for the league’s inaugural season.The list includes former MVP Nneka Ogwumike, who is also the players union president. Other stars like Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and Kelsey Mitchell are also committed. Their departures for part of the year could impact WNBA team dynamics.

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The emergence of Project B has fundamentally altered the financial conversation in women’s basketball. Its ability to lure top WNBA talent with unprecedented contracts marks a pivotal moment for athlete compensation and league competition.

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Q1: What is Project B offering WNBA players?

Project B is offering annual salaries over $2 million plus equity in the league. This is a massive increase compared to the WNBA’s current supermax salary of just under $250,000.

Q2: When will the Project B season take place?

The Project B league plans to run its tournaments from November to April. This schedule is intentionally designed to avoid a direct overlap with the core WNBA summer season.

Q3: Which WNBA stars have joined so far?

Key players include Nneka Ogwumike, Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and Kelsey Mitchell. Sophie Cunningham recently became the ninth WNBA player to publicly commit to the new league.

Q4: Is Saudi Arabia funding Project B?

Project B founder Grady Burnett told Front Office Sports that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is not a direct investor. However, a subsidiary of the fund is an official event partner for the league.

Q5: Who else is investing in the league?

Several high-profile athletes are investors. This group includes Candace Parker, Novak Djokovic, Steve Young, and Sloane Stephens, adding significant star power to its backing.

Q6: Will this affect the WNBA season?

It could impact team preparations, as players will be competing in another league during the WNBA off-season. The long-term effect on player availability and fatigue remains to be seen.