Full Breakdown
Project B: A New Era for Women's Basketball
10/9/2025, 4:34:53 PM
Overview of Project B
Project B is an ambitious new global basketball league set to launch in late 2026, focusing on women's basketball. Founded by former Google and Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice, the league aims to provide players with equity ownership and significantly higher salaries than current standards in women's sports. The inaugural season will feature six teams of 11 players competing in seven two-week tournaments across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Key Figures Involved
Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson has joined Project B as an advisor, emphasizing the league's focus on player empowerment and sustainability. Other notable figures involved include former WNBA champion Alana Beard, who serves as Chief Basketball Officer, and investors such as tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens, former NFL quarterback Steve Young, and WNBA star Candace Parker. The league is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund through the entertainment company Sela.
Financial Model and Player Equity
Project B is designed to treat athletes as partners rather than employees, offering them equity stakes in the league's growth. Burnett stated, “We’re paying multiples higher than is available right now in the world of women’s sports,” highlighting the league's commitment to providing competitive salaries and equity packages. This model aims to attract top talent and elevate the status of women's basketball globally.
Competition and Scheduling
The league is set to operate from November through April, strategically avoiding overlap with the WNBA season, which runs in the summer. While Burnett acknowledged that Project B could eventually compete with established leagues like the NBA, he emphasized that the current focus is on growing the sport and providing more opportunities for athletes.
Criticism and Concerns
Despite the excitement surrounding Project B, there are concerns about its potential impact on existing leagues. NBA commissioner Adam Silver remarked that while competition is beneficial, running a league is complex. The departure of Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business partner, from the project has also raised questions about the league's future and its ability to attract NBA talent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm proud to join Project B as an adviser and to be part of something truly transformative for all sports,” — Lauren Jackson, Advisor
- “This is not a gimmick. We’re playing five-on-five, we’re playing elite basketball. We want the best of the best playing in our league.” — Alana Beard, Chief Basketball Officer
- “We see this as something that will be helpful to lifting athletes across all sport and bringing more access and proximity to fans across the world,” — Grady Burnett, Co-founder
What's Next for Project B
As Project B prepares for its launch, it continues to secure commitments from high-profile athletes and finalize its operational structure. The league's leadership is optimistic about its potential to reshape the landscape of women's basketball and create a sustainable model for athletes worldwide.
