Alyssa Thomas Joins Project B, the New Women’s Basketball League
The outstanding basketball player, Alyssa Thomas, finalist for the WNBA MVP award, joins Project B, a new women’s league scheduled to start in Europe and Asia in November 2026. The Phoenix Mercury star announced her decision via social media, a week after Nneka Ogwumike confirmed her participation in this new league that 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. At 33 years old, Thomas has played abroad during the off-seasons, 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 salary higher than the one currently offered by the WNBA.“Alyssa is the type of player and person around whom a team is built,” stated Alana Beard, Project B’s basketball operations 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 the global competition that Project B represents.”
Alana Beard, Director of Basketball Operations at Project B
Although financial details have not been disclosed, the possibility of more lucrative compensation comes at an important time for women’s professional basketball. As interest in this sport has soared in recent years, the WNBA and the players’ union are immersed in tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, in which much of the dispute centers on salary and revenue sharing.
Project B is scheduled to play its inaugural season until April 2027. This would not interfere with the usual WNBA schedule.
