Project B (basketball)

Project B is a startup global basketball league.[1]

History

Project B was founded in 2023 by ex-Facebook and Google executive Grady Burnett and Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice. Alana Beard will serve as the Chief Basketball Officer.[2] Candace Parker, Steve Young, Novak Djokovic, and Sloane Stephens are included as investors and advisors.[3][4] The league hopes to appeal to an international audience.

League format

Project B will start with a women's basketball league that will include six teams that will play in a traditional five on five format. Each team's roster will have 11 players. The season will take place over seven two-week long tournaments throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. The first season will begin in November 2026 and conclude in April 2027. Project B may launch a men's league, but that is not yet confirmed.[5]

Players

Nneka Ogwumike was the first women's basketball player to sign with Project B.[6] As of December 2025, Alyssa Thomas, Janelle Salaün, Jewell Loyd,[7] Jonquel Jones, Justė Jocytė, Kamilla Cardoso, and Kelsey Mitchell have also signed with the league.[8][9]

Controversy

Project B plans to pay its female players salaries over a million dollars and give them equity in the league, causing concern that the league will compete with and put pressure on other women's basketball leagues like Euroleague Women, the WNBA, Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled.[10][9]

The Saudi Wealth Fund is reported to be one of the investors, which has created concern for its association with human rights violations.[11] However, league representatives have denied that the league is funded by Saudi Arabia, calling it an operating partner and not an investor.[3][12][13]

References

  1. ^ Burns, Heather. "What is Project B? A guide to the startup women's basketball league". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  2. ^ "Project B aims to build global women's basketball league, eyes men's expansion". Sports Business Journal. 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  3. ^ a b Fernandez, Gabe (October 12, 2025). "49ers legend Steve Young invests in new basketball league intended to rival NBA". SF Gate.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Amick, Sam; Vorkunov, Mike; Vardon, Joe (2025-10-09). "What is Project B? The latest on a new global league recruiting basketball stars". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  5. ^ Burns, Heather. "What is Project B? A guide to the startup women's basketball league". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  6. ^ Merchant, Sabreena; Vorkunov, Mike (2025-11-06). "Nneka Ogwumike signs with Project B, becomes first player publicly associated with new league". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  7. ^ "Aces' Loyd joins new women's league Project B". ESPN.com. 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  8. ^ Hall, Meghan L. "Pair of Fever stars extend WNBA athlete list joining Project B league". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  9. ^ a b Friend, Tom (2025-12-04). "As Project B signs A-List players, it's a mystery no more". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  10. ^ Smith, Allison. "Amid WNBA CBA Talks, Project B Continues To Expand Roster". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  11. ^ "PIF backing proposed $5bn basketball league". ESPN.com. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  12. ^ Hirsh, Alissa (2025-11-21). "What the heck is Project B?". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  13. ^ Costabile, Annie (2025-11-08). "Project B Basketball League Says It Has No Saudi Funding". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
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