Alyssa Thomas Joins Project B: New Horizon for Women’s Basketball
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. Thomas, a key figure for the Phoenix Mercury, announced her decision via social media. This news comes a week after Nneka Ogwumike also confirmed her participation in the league, which promises high salaries and equity participation for the players.Thomas led the Phoenix Mercury to the WNBA Finals last season, where the team fell to the Las Vegas Aces in four games. The 6’2″ forward has had an outstanding career, including her first 11 seasons with the Connecticut Sun, where she led the team twice to the WNBA Finals and earned five All-Star nominations. The 33-year-old player has played abroad in previous seasons and participated in the inaugural season of Unrivaled last year. Thomas will participate again in the 3-on-3 league this January, which also features other prominent WNBA players. Project B and Unrivaled will coincide in 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. Salaries are also expected to be higher than those of Unrivaled. Although financial details have not been disclosed, the prospect of increased compensation comes at a crucial time for professional women’s basketball. With growing interest in the sport, the WNBA and the players’ union are in negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, with much of the discussion focused on salaries and revenue distribution. Project B plans to hold 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,” commented 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 collaboration between players and the global competition that Project B promotes.”
Alana Beard, Project B’s basketball director
