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Four WNBA players have now committed to play in Project B, a women’s basketball startup league expected to tip off in Europe, Asia and Latin America in November 2026.
All-Stars Jewel Loyd, who played for the Las Vegas Aces last season, and Jonquel Jones, who was on the New York Liberty, said they would play in the league.
“Every step forward in this game is an investment in what’s possible,” Loyd said. “I believe in where women’s basketball is headed, and the worldwide momentum is real.”
Jones said she would enjoy being “able to continue to play against the best players in the world, play with the best players in the world and be able to see new parts of the world.”
They join Nneka Ogwumike and Alyssa Thomas, who previously committed to the Project B, which has promised higher salaries than either the WNBA or Unrivaled and an equity stake, which is part of the Unrivaled playbook.
WOMEN’S SPORTS: The latest news and insider insights from USA TODAY Studio IX.
But what do we really know about Project B? Chief basketball officer Alana Beard joined Sarah Spain’s “Good Game” podcast to give some details. It is fair to say Beard kept many of the specifics to herself and refused to answer some of Spain’s more pointed questions.
But, here’s what we learned about the fledgling league:
More: Nneka Ogwumike signs to startup Project B league, set to launch in 2026More: Mercury All-Star Alyssa Thomas second WNBA player to join startup league Project B
What is the format for Project B and when will it start?
The women’s basketball league will include six teams, 11 to a roster, and play a traditional 5-on-5 format. Project B plans to host seven two-week tournaments in locations throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. Project B, Beard said, will have men’s and women’s leagues but the women will begin play sooner. The plan is for the first women’s season to begin play in November 2026 and conclude in April 2027. Beard did not share where the tournaments would be played, specifically, but did say the men and women will play in the same cities.
How much will Project B pay per season?
Women who play in Project B will get an equity stake in the league in addition to salary. The league promises to pay more than the WNBA ($102,249 per season) or Unrivaled ($220,000 per season) did for 2025. Front Office Sports reported player deals in the women’s league will reach seven figures and start at $2 million annually. Beard would not confirm any salary figures when asked by Spain.
What effect might Project B have on the WNBA?
More than one former player has raised the question, if you are getting paid millions overseas why would you prioritize playing in the WNBA? After all, Diana Taurasi didn’t play the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian club team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. They paid her more than her WNBA salary to rest and be healthy for their season.
Basketball Hall of Famer Sue Bird addressed that point on her podcast.
“What gets lost when it comes to the WNBA is playing in America, being able to capitalize on endorsements, which now is a real player for these players,” Bird said on A Touch More. “A lot of these contracts — now it’s not that you can’t create a new type of contract — but I know my shoe deal, I had to play in the WNBA to get my money. So, a lot of the ecosystem that we live in as Americans, playing in the WNBA, revolves around playing in America.”
Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson both have lucrative shoe deals with Nike. Angle Reese is signed with Reebok.
Who will play in the league?
Beyond players from the WNBA, Beard said, “We have international players signed on. We have young players signed on. (And) that consists of players from four or five different continents at the moment.” Beard did not name any names.
How will the league model attract fans?
The six teams will not be attached to a city, region or country, which is traditional in sports. Beard said she thinks younger fans are more attached to athletes than teams. “It’s our thesis and belief that it’s about the name on the back of a jersey. … When you think about the way fans are now engaging today, this is a younger audience, Gen Z. They’re all about highlights, they’re all about streaming, and they’re all about the individual.”
How did Project B get started?
The startup league was founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice. Beard said the pair came up with it over dinner with the idea that basketball is a global game with lots of fans.
“It’s just literally analyzing the entire market … there are 3 billion plus basketball fans around the world and within the United States, within kind of the two main leagues, the W and the NBA, they’re only tapping into 10 to 11 percent of that global fan base,” Beard said. “And so there’s so much untapped market outside of North America that we believe as an opportunity to come in and build something that is extremely sustainable, global and competitive and just really unique.”
Who else has invested in the league?
In addition to Prentice and Burnett, former WNBA MVP Candace Parker, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens have invested in Project B. Venture capital firms like Mangrove Capital, Quiet Capital and Sequence Equity also have a stake.
What ties does Project B have to Saudi Public Investment Fund?
Project B is in a partnership with Sela, an entertainment company owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. “Sela is a global operating partner that is owned by PIF,” Beard said. “We’re paying them as a service to logistically produce our events, and they have.”
