Project B eight-figure contracts shake the WNBA world as players eye massive paydays. Will this new league destroy Unrivaled and challenge the WNBA’s future?
So… FS in the chat for Unrivaled. Because let’s be real—this new league called Project B just buried them alive. That little 3v3 gimmick-ball idea? Yeah, it’s done. Game over. Project B is coming in like a wrecking ball, offering multi-million dollar contracts that make Unrivaled’s numbers look like pocket change.
And we’re not talking “a few hundred thousand” either. No, Project B is reportedly handing out deals starting at $2 million per player—with top-tier names pulling in eight-figure contracts. You heard that right. Some of these WNBA stars are about to cash checks worth over $10 million.
If I were a player right now? I’d take that bag in a heartbeat. Because let’s be honest—$2 million a year is life-changing money. You play your cards right, manage your money smart, and that’s generational security. Forget “brand deals” and “endorsements.” This is the real payday.
The 10x Jump That Shook the Basketball World
Project B is coming in with a statement: “We’ll pay you what you’re worth.” While Unrivaled was offering $200K to its stars, Project B said, “Nah, we’re doing 10x that.”
And according to multiple insiders, it’s not just a flat rate. Star players like Nneka Ogwumike—who’s reportedly been approached—could be looking at something like $3 million per year, maybe a $9 million three-year deal. For a 35-year-old veteran who’s seen every side of the WNBA grind, that’s a hard offer to turn down.
If the early reports hold true, this isn’t a one-off stunt. This is the start of a massive money war for women’s basketball.
What’s Driving This “Project B” Power Move?
Let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t purely about sports. When people throw around Saudi funding and tech billionaires, we’re talking about a league with unlimited pockets. They don’t care if they lose $300 million. They’ll just shrug and ask, “Why not lose $500 million?”
This is sportswashing meets Silicon Valley ego. A lot of these backers aren’t chasing profit—they’re chasing attention, influence, and the prestige of owning a winning product.
That’s why this feels dangerous for the WNBA. Because while the WNBA’s still figuring out how to get fair TV ratings and stable ownership, Project B is saying, “Forget revenue—we’ll outspend everyone.”
Unrivaled’s Collapse Was Just the Beginning
Unrivaled wanted to be different—3v3 games, fast pace, a “player-owned” vibe. But now? That experiment looks cooked. Project B is too big, too rich, and too flashy.
And here’s the irony: WNBA stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson have been advocating for better pay for years. Now, a rival league is ready to give them exactly that… but it might also end up killing the WNBA in the process.
Think about it—if Project B is handing out 8-figure deals, how can the WNBA compete? They’d have to raise max contracts to $2 million just to keep their stars from walking. And even then, players might still take the Project B deal just for the freedom and the cash.
The Investor Reality: “Profit? Who Cares?”
In traditional U.S. sports, teams are businesses. You invest to make a return. But in global sports—especially when the investors are ultra-rich hobbyists—it’s about status, not balance sheets.
So when people say, “Oh, they’ll lose money,” the investors literally don’t care. The mindset is:
“If it costs half a billion to make a splash, so be it.”
That’s the level of funding Project B appears to be playing with. And that’s why WNBA leadership, from Kathy Engelbert on down, should be sweating right now.
WNBA’s Critical Dilemma
There’s a nightmare scenario here. If Project B’s money is real—and it sure looks like it is—the WNBA’s bargaining power vanishes overnight.
Because what do you do when your best players can double or triple their salary elsewhere? How do you enforce exclusivity clauses when Project B is dangling millions in front of your MVPs?
And here’s where it gets ugly: some WNBA players actually benefit if the league collapses.
That’s not conspiracy talk—it’s reality. Several top players have equity stakes in Unrivaled or Project B. So if the WNBA goes under, those rival leagues become more valuable.
This means we could see an internal divide:
- Players chasing money and ownership.
- The league trying to survive.
It’s a tug-of-war where everyone’s smiling on the surface, but behind the scenes—it’s chaos.
Could WNBA Stars Play in Both Leagues?
That’s one possible compromise. Maybe the WNBA allows players to earn $1.5 million domestically and play for Project B in the offseason. That might save face for both sides.
But that also risks oversaturation and injury. And let’s not forget—these players are human. You can’t run two full seasons back-to-back for years.
Still, if Project B’s checks clear, players will find a way.
What This Means for the Future of Women’s Basketball
Make no mistake—Project B changes everything.
This is more than a new league; it’s a financial and cultural shift. Players who’ve spent years fighting for visibility and fair pay are suddenly in demand. It’s validation.
But it’s also a warning. Because when outside money floods in this fast, the bubble can burst just as quickly. And if Project B folds after two or three seasons, the WNBA could be left picking up the pieces.
Final Thoughts
Whether you love it or hate it, Project B just forced the WNBA into its biggest moment of reckoning.
If the WNBA doesn’t respond—and fast—it could lose its top stars, its audience, and its leverage all in one blow. But if it adapts, matches pay, and embraces competition, this could be the moment that finally pushes women’s basketball into the global spotlight it deserves.
Either way, the game has officially changed—and the next few months will decide who survives and who gets left behind.
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