Saudi-backed Project B could lure WNBA stars with $50 million offers — a potential game-changer for women’s basketball and the league’s CBA talks.
The Rumor That Shook the WNBA
A new Saudi-funded basketball league called Project B is reportedly preparing to launch next year — and it might just flip the WNBA upside down. Imagine a league offering $50 million contracts to stars like *Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, or A’ja Wilson. That’s not a typo — $50 million.
The league, founded by former Google and Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Jeff Appenice, has been in the works for two years and plans to launch with six teams competing in seven two-week tournaments across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The headquarters? Singapore.
And the big kicker? It’s backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Meet “Project B” — The Next Big Disruptor
Project B is set to run during the WNBA offseason — a perfect window that gives players the freedom to participate without directly abandoning their WNBA commitments. The format is simple but global: six teams, 11 players each, 14 weeks total.
Among its leadership is former WNBA star Elena Beard, who will serve as Chief Basketball Officer. And the investor list? It’s stacked: Candace Parker, Novak Djokovic, Steve Young, and Sloane Stephens are already involved.
But what’s really turning heads isn’t the lineup — it’s the money.
The Saudi Playbook: When Money Talks
Saudi Arabia has been rewriting the rules of global sports. From LIV Golf to soccer’s mega-contracts — remember Cristiano Ronaldo’s $400 million deal or Phil Mickelson’s $200 million payday — the country has shown it’s not shy about spending big.
They don’t care much about TV ratings or ROI — they want influence. They want control. They want relevance in global sports.
If they offered Caitlin Clark $50 million to skip one WNBA season, could she really say no? That’s 333 times her rookie salary.
We’ve Seen This Movie Before
Back in 2015, Diana Taurasi skipped an entire WNBA season because a Russian club offered her a salary too good to refuse. She was paid more overseas than the WNBA could dream of matching — and when she returned, her legacy didn’t suffer at all.
Now imagine that, but multiplied by 100.
Saudi money doesn’t just beat other offers — it crushes them. Even leagues like Unrivaled, founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier to boost women’s pay, can’t come close to what Saudi Arabia can offer.
Would Caitlin Clark Actually Go?
Let’s be honest — Caitlin Clark is the face of women’s basketball right now. She’s the one driving ticket sales, boosting ratings, and putting eyes on the WNBA.
If Saudi Arabia came calling with $50 million, a private jet, luxury housing, and first-class everything — how do you turn that down?
Even Rachel DeMita, who broke this story, shared her own experience in Saudi Arabia: royal-level treatment, top hotels, car service, and full security escorts. Now imagine that setup for Clark or Reese. It’s not just a job. It’s an empire.
The WNBA’s Looming Problem
This couldn’t come at a worse time for the WNBA. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is still under negotiation, and tensions are high.
Players want better revenue sharing. Right now, they only receive a fraction of what the NBA players get. The NBA owns 50% of the WNBA, while outside investors own 16%. That ownership structure is one reason players can’t simply “negotiate up” — there are too many people with their hands in the pot.
The latest reports suggest a proposed supermax salary around $850K, and a veteran minimum near $300K. Better, yes. But still nothing close to life-changing.
And if Project B starts dangling eight-figure checks? The WNBA could see an exodus.
Can Adam Silver Stop It?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has quietly started to intervene, trying to prevent another LIV Golf–style raid. He’s been working with Abu Dhabi and Dubai on partnerships — like the Emirates NBA Cup — to keep Middle Eastern money within the NBA system, not competing against it.
But can even Adam Silver stop this? If a player like Caitlin Clark gets offered $50 million, Silver can’t block her. The NBA doesn’t control her.
It’s capitalism. And Saudi Arabia is playing chess while everyone else is still setting up the board.
What’s Next for the WNBA?
If the WNBA doesn’t close the CBA deal soon — and close it smart — players might start seriously looking elsewhere.
The league already has a history of losing stars overseas during the offseason. Now, they might lose them for good.
Project B is set to launch next November, and while that may seem far off, the timeline is tight. Expansion draft, free agency, rookie signings — everything in the WNBA calendar depends on a finalized CBA. And if that gets delayed past January? The chaos begins.
What Fans Are Asking
Fans are torn. Some say “take the bag” — others say it would destroy the WNBA’s momentum.
But one thing’s for sure: if Saudi Arabia really wants to sign players like Caitlin Clark or A’ja Wilson, they have the cash to do it.
And if they succeed?
The WNBA will never look the same again.
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