Alyssa Thomas Joins Project B, the New Women’s Basketball League
WNBA standout Alyssa Thomas, an MVP award finalist, joins Project B, the new women’s basketball league scheduled to launch in Europe and Asia in November 2026. The Phoenix Mercury star announced her decision via social media. This news comes a week after Nneka Ogwumike confirmed her participation in the league, which promises high salaries and equity participation for the players.Thomas led the Phoenix Mercury last WNBA season, reaching the Finals, where the team fell to the Las Vegas Aces in four games. The 6-foot-2-inch forward played her first 11 seasons with the Connecticut Sun, leading them to the WNBA Finals twice and earning five All-Star nominations. The 33-year-old player has played abroad in previous seasons and joined Unrivaled for its inaugural season last year. Thomas will return to participate in January in the 3-on-3 league, which also features several prominent WNBA players. Project B and Unrivaled will have coinciding dates in the future. Project B will have 66 players divided into six teams. Each player will receive a salary higher than that currently offered by the WNBA, and is even expected to be higher than those of Unrivaled. Although specific financial details have not been disclosed, the possibility of more lucrative compensation comes at a crucial time for women’s professional basketball. With the growing interest in the sport, the WNBA and the players’ union are in tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, with much of the dispute centered on salaries and revenue distribution. Project B plans to play its inaugural season until April 2027, which would not interfere with the usual WNBA schedule.Alyssa is the type of player and person around whom a project is built. Her leadership, competitiveness, and professionalism elevate everyone around her. As one of the most respected players in the world, she represents the new era of collaboration between players and the global competition that Project B defends.
Alana Beard, Director of Basketball of Project B
