In the latest episode of the Show Me Something podcast on December 4, Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham announced her participation in Project B, a new offseason league, and offered her perspective on teammate Caitlin Clark’s stance regarding alternative WNBA leagues. Cunningham highlighted that while leagues like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited also exist, the WNBA remains the central platform, driving awareness and visibility for women’s basketball.
Cunningham emphasized the importance of having the WNBA as a foundation, stating, “If you don’t have the W (WNBA), you don’t have a platform, no eyes, no awareness.” Co-host Wes Wilson humorously referenced a comment by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert about Clark benefiting from the WNBA’s visibility. Cunningham also shared that she invited Clark to join Project B, but Clark declined. The Hawkeyes star’s decision aligns with her goal to avoid risks that might impact her WNBA season or her prospects with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Despite Project B offering higher pay compared to its competitors and exceeding current WNBA salaries, Clark’s priority likely isn’t the financial aspect, especially after ranking sixth on Sportico’s 2025 Highest Paid Female Athletes list.
Fan Take: This news highlights the growing landscape and choices for WNBA players during the offseason, underscoring the WNBA’s critical role as the sport’s flagship platform. It also shows how star players like Caitlin Clark are carefully navigating their careers, which could shape the future dynamics of women’s professional basketball.
