The International Women’s Basketball League Project B, set to start competition next year, has added a notable new player: Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever. Cunningham, a former Missouri standout, spent the first six years of her career with Phoenix. After being traded to Indiana in exchange for Caitlin Clark, Cunningham quickly gained recognition for her commitment to supporting Clark. She joins a group of WNBA All-Stars including Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Mitchell, Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and Jewell Lloyd, all of whom have signed on to play in Project B.
Project B, a global sports venture backed by several international investors, plans to launch a women’s basketball league by late 2026. Founded by former executives from Facebook and Skype, the project aims to bring a tech-driven disruption and leverage social media to boost women’s basketball. The league plans to feature a Formula 1-style global traveling tournament with six teams of 11 players competing over seven weeks.
The WNBA is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, led by stars like Clark, and is in the midst of labor negotiations, making it a ripe environment for disruption. Project B will operate during the WNBA off-season and has already pledged to offer substantially higher salaries and equity stakes to players who join the league early.
Cunningham’s involvement could be crucial in persuading Clark to join Project B, as Clark’s domestic fame might help Project B gain a stronger foothold on the international stage.
Fan Take: This development could be a game-changer for WNBA fans, as it signals growing opportunities and competition that could push player salaries and visibility even higher. If Project B succeeds, it might transform the women’s basketball landscape by blending sports with innovative tech and global appeal, ultimately benefiting the sport’s growth worldwide.
