Alyssa Thomas, WNBA Star, Signs for Project B Women’s League

Alyssa Thomas Joins Project B: A New Era in Women’s Basketball

WNBA star Alyssa Thomas, a finalist for the MVP award, has announced her joining Project B, the innovative women’s basketball league scheduled to launch in Europe and Asia in November 2026. Thomas becomes the second player to join this ambitious project. The Phoenix Mercury star made this decision after the announcement of Nneka Ogwumike, who also confirmed her participation in the new league. Project B promises its players significantly high salaries and stock ownership.

“Alyssa is the type of player and person around whom a project is built,” stated Alana Beard, Project B’s basketball director. “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 global competition that Project B represents.”

Alana Beard, Project B’s basketball director

Thomas led the Phoenix Mercury to the WNBA Finals last season, where the team fell to the Las Vegas Aces. Previously, the 6’2″ forward played her first 11 seasons with the Connecticut Sun, leading them to the WNBA Finals twice and earning five All-Star selections. The 33-year-old player has played abroad in previous seasons and joined Unrivaled for its inaugural season last year. Thomas will return this January to the 3-on-3 league, which also features the participation of several prominent 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 salary higher than that currently offered in the WNBA, and it is expected that they will also be higher than those of Unrivaled. While financial details have not been disclosed, the possibility of more lucrative compensation comes at a crucial time for women’s professional basketball. With 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 will not interfere with the usual WNBA schedule.