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, a week after Nneka Ogwumike also confirmed her participation in the new league, which offers players high salaries and equity participation.Thomas led the Phoenix Mercury to the WNBA Finals last season, before 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 during previous offseasons before joining Unrivaled in its inaugural season last year. Thomas will return this January to the 3-on-3 league, which also features many of the top WNBA players. Project B and Unrivaled will have overlapping dates in the future. Project B will have 66 players divided into six teams. Each player will receive a higher salary than those currently offered by the WNBA. Although financial details haven’t been disclosed, the possibility of more lucrative compensation comes at an important time for women’s professional basketball. As interest in the sport has soared in recent years, the WNBA and the players’ union are in tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, with much of the dispute centered on salary and revenue distribution.“Alyssa is the type of player and person around whom a project is built,” declared Alana Beard, basketball director of Proyecto B. “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 partnership with players and the global competition that Proyecto B defends.”
Alana Beard, Director of Basketball of Proyecto B
Project B plans to play its inaugural season until April 2027. This would not interfere with the usual WNBA schedule.
