The WNBA is currently in the midst of labor negotiations with its players, with salary agreements at the forefront of discussions. One of the league’s most iconic figures, Diana Taurasi, expressed strong opinions earlier this year about the league’s current pay structure. Last year’s supermax salary was set at $249,244, and while players have been advocating for salaries in the realm of $1 million or more, the WNBA has yet to meet these demands. Their highest offer so far peaks at $850,000, with a proposed veteran minimum standing at around $300,000.

In light of these ongoing negotiations, a number of WNBA players have decided to explore opportunities with a burgeoning international league known as “Project B.” This league plans to host 5-on-5 tournaments for both women and men from November through April, and it is extending lucrative contracts to attract players to its ranks.

Project B’s enticing offers include equity stakes in the league alongside annual salaries exceeding $2 million—a figure nearly ten times the WNBA’s current supermax salary. For those opting for multi-year commitments, some Project B contracts are reaching into the eight-figure range.

Sophie Cunningham (L) and Kelsey Mitchell (C) are two of the WNBA players committed to the new Project B league. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently became the ninth player to publicly join Project B. The league has also attracted several prominent WNBA stars such as Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, and Cunningham’s teammate Kelsey Mitchell. Additionally, noteworthy players like Kamilla Cardoso, Li Meng, Jewell Lloyd, and Janelle Salaun, both current and former WNBA athletes, are also signing on with Project B.

Nneka Ogwumike, who serves as the current president of the players’ union, is among the influential figures joining Project B. She earned MVP honors with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016 and consistently ranks among the league’s finest talents. Jonquel Jones secured the MVP title with the Connecticut Sun in 2021, while Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Mitchell were both top contenders in the most recent MVP voting.

Despite suffering an MCL tear in August that sidelined her for the rest of the season, Sophie Cunningham’s involvement with Project B has been met with enthusiasm by the league, underscoring their commitment to bringing star power and talent to their innovative initiative.

It’s not entirely clear how much money Project B has raised—and where that money has come from. Project B founder Grady Burnett told Front Office Sports that Saudi Arabia hasn’t contributed any money, despite claims to the contrary from the country’s wealth fund. Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund has also expressed involvement with the league.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has given large amounts of cash to numerous athletes across different sports. Most notably, the LIV Golf league lured several players away from the PGA Tour with staggering money offers. Burnett said, “we do not have any dollars coming from” the PIF. However, Sela, a subsidiary of the PIF, is an event partner of Project B, so the league pays money to that company.

We do know several sports stars are also investors in Project B, including Candace Parker, Steve Young, Novak Djokovic, and Sloane Stephens. Will the league rival the WNBA? That remains to be seen, though Project B is certainly giving the incumbent a run for its money.