Sophie Cunningham Bolsters Project B’s Star-Studded Roster..
In a seismic shift for women’s basketball, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has become the latest WNBA talent to ink a deal with Project B, the ambitious global league poised to launch in fall 2026. This commitment, announced on November 25, 2025, follows hot on the heels of her teammate Kelsey Mitchell’s signing, amplifying speculation about the league’s potential to lure even more elite players like Caitlin Clark.
Project B, co-founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice, promises a revolutionary format: six 11-player teams competing in high-stakes men’s and women’s tournaments across Europe, Asia, and Latin America during the WNBA offseason (November to April). Unlike traditional franchises, it adopts an asset-light, centrally owned model, offering early adopters equity stakes alongside jaw-dropping salaries—reportedly exceeding $2 million annually per player, dwarfing the WNBA’s average of around $120,000.
Four-time All-Star Alana Beard serves as co-founder and chief basketball officer, spearheading recruitment that now includes Cunningham, Mitchell, Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jewell Loyd, Jonquel Jones, Kamilla Cardoso, Janelle Salaün, and Li Meng
Cunningham, a social media sensation with nearly 3 million followers, cited the league’s global vision as a key draw. “Our game is exploding in popularity, and I’m all in on carrying that momentum forward,” she said in a statement, emphasizing Project B’s role in elevating women’s hoops worldwide. Her move underscores broader frustrations amid stalled WNBA CBA talks, where players demand revenue shares and higher pay amid the league’s surge in viewership.
Earlier, Cunningham quipped to Front Office Sports, “If people are going to be paying you multi-million dollar deals, why would you not?”—a sentiment echoing the financial allure that could force tough choices between domestic loyalty and international riches.
Fans are buzzing, with some clamoring for Clark to follow suit, dubbing it a “quarter-billion” opportunity. As Project B eyes a digital-first fanbase through player storytelling, it positions itself as a disruptor, potentially reshaping the sport’s economic landscape. With Cunningham aboard, the league’s momentum feels unstoppable—her blend of grit, charisma, and off-court savvy could be the spark to ignite a truly borderless era.
