Women’s basketball was shaken to its core this week as Sophie Cunningham became the latest star to abandon the WNBA for the highly funded, highly controversial breakaway league Project B — a move already being compared to the chaos LIV Golf unleashed on the PGA Tour. The timing is explosive, the implications enormous, and the message unmistakable: WNBA players are no longer waiting for change — they’re walking toward it.
Cunningham’s decision arrives as the WNBA remains locked in a bitter and unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreement battle, with players increasingly vocal about low pay, limited revenue sharing, and a lack of long-term financial security. The league hoped to project stability heading into 2026. Instead, they’re facing a full-on talent exodus.
Project B, set to launch in fall 2026, has already poached a staggering list of WNBA names: Kelsey Mitchell, Alyssa Thomas, Nneka Ogwumike, Jonquel Jones, Kamilla Cardoso, Jewell Lloyd, Janelle Salaun, and Li Meng, all joining Cunningham in what now resembles the beginnings of a legitimate rival powerhouse. Cunningham even appeared to celebrate the news openly, joking on social media about her “unlimited Arby’s for life” perks — a lighthearted moment wrapped around a seismic career move.
But this isn’t just about buzz. It’s about money, and Project B is swinging a financial hammer the WNBA simply cannot match right now. Reports indicate the startup league is offering multi-million-dollar annual salaries — exceeding $2 million — along with potential equity stakes. For players long frustrated with WNBA economics, this is not a temptation; it’s a revelation.
In her announcement, Cunningham framed the jump as part of a broader mission:
“Our game is exploding in popularity, and I’m all in on carrying that momentum forward in any way I can, both at home in the US and beyond.”
The statement was polished, optimistic — but beneath it lies a much harsher truth for the WNBA: star players are losing patience.
Cunningham herself has previously expressed doubts about CBA negotiations, saying bluntly there’s “not a lot to talk about” from the players’ side until structural changes materialize. Project B, with its promise of higher pay, global tournaments, and a fresh model spanning both women’s and men’s divisions, offers everything the WNBA has struggled to provide quickly enough: money, opportunity, reach, and autonomy.
The startup plans to launch with six teams, each carrying 11 players, competing worldwide — a format that immediately broadens exposure and sponsorship potential. For a player with Cunningham’s reach, both on-court and online, it’s a platform that feels custom-built. Her move delivers Project B one of its most valuable signings yet: a charismatic, outspoken, high-visibility athlete capable of elevating the brand on Day One.
But for the WNBA, the warning lights are flashing brighter than ever.
If a rival league consolidates enough star power, the damage could be irreversible. The WNBA risks losing not only talent but narrative control. Viewership could fracture. Sponsors could hesitate. Fans may be forced to choose — or split their time. And if Project B succeeds, the WNBA will have no choice but to undergo sweeping reforms: higher salaries, stronger revenue sharing, better guarantees, and a modernized business model.
Still, the threat of fragmentation is real. Two competing leagues could dilute attention, create scheduling conflicts, and divide international markets. The sport could evolve — or splinter.
For now, the only certainty is this: Sophie Cunningham’s decision is not an isolated shockwave.
It’s the opening shot of a transformation that could change women’s basketball forever.
Leave a Reply