The WNBA is staring down a full-blown crisis. A brand-new global league—Project B—has officially declared war on women’s basketball’s status quo, and the timing couldn’t be more explosive. Founded by ex-Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice, the league is promising not just competition—but revolution.
Set to launch in November 2026, Project B plans to host five-on-five basketball tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, shaking the very foundation of the WNBA’s global dominance. The project’s founders have already made a powerful first move: signing Seattle Storm icon Nneka Ogwumike as their inaugural player. And that’s only the beginning.
According to multiple reports, Project B has quietly begun approaching top WNBA stars, dangling seven-figure contracts—with salaries starting at $2 million per year and soaring into eight figures for multi-year deals. Even more shocking, players are being offered equity stakes in the league—a move that could change the financial landscape of women’s sports forever.
Among the biggest names rumored to be in talks? Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese—two of the most marketable and influential stars in basketball today. The idea of them leaving the WNBA has sent shockwaves across social media and locker rooms alike.
“It’s no secret that players want better pay, better exposure, and more respect,” one anonymous agent told Front Office Sports. “Project B isn’t just offering a contract—it’s offering ownership, power, and global reach. That’s a dangerous combination for the WNBA to ignore.”
For years, WNBA players have voiced frustrations about limited salaries, intense travel schedules, and the league’s reliance on overseas play to supplement income. Even with the sport’s surging popularity—thanks in large part to stars like Clark—the average player salary remains a fraction of what men earn in the NBA.
Project B’s model aims to flip that narrative completely. Inspired by global sports circuits like Formula 1, golf, and tennis, the new league will tour international cities, turning women’s basketball into a worldwide spectacle. Six teams, each with 11 players, will compete in rotating destinations, merging elite competition with entertainment-driven events designed to attract fans across continents.
Industry insiders say the funding behind Project B is “serious money.” Backed by major venture capital and tech investors, the league’s founders are betting big on the growing popularity of women’s sports—especially as global audiences demand more representation and visibility.
The WNBA, meanwhile, finds itself in a delicate moment. As it negotiates a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), tensions between players and the league office are mounting. The possibility of a rival league offering life-changing money could dramatically shift leverage in those talks.
Fans are torn. Some argue that competition could push the WNBA to finally evolve—raising pay, expanding media coverage, and modernizing its operations. Others fear a talent drain could fracture the sport just as it’s gaining mainstream traction.
What’s certain is this: women’s basketball has never faced a turning point quite like this. With money, power, and global ambition colliding, the next few months could determine whether the WNBA strengthens its grip—or watches its brightest stars walk away.
Project B isn’t just another startup. It’s a declaration of intent. And if Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese signs on the dotted line, the basketball world may never be the same again.
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