With a WNBA lockout looming pending the end of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, some players are already making contingency plans for playing in 2026. One of those plans could result in a pretty huge windfall.
According to Front Office Sports, some WNBA stars have been offered salaries upwards of $2 million to join the newly-formed Project B basketball league, which is set to debut in Europe and Asia next year.
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One of the biggest names that Project B has already landed is former WNBA MVP and WNBA champion Nneka Ogwumike, who just so happens to be the president of WNBPA.
“There’s so many different opportunities for players outside of (the WNBA) and that’s always been the case,” Ogwumike said following the decision, via the Associated Press. “This is just another one of those opportunities and I know that a lot of players are doing what they can to ensure that they can maximize on the short time that they have in their playing careers. This is my chance to be able to do that.”
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Project B
The Project B basketball league intends to function similar to Formula 1 or the PGA Tour, traveling the world to showcase games to fans while also streaming the content on select platforms. Some pretty notable celebrity athletes such as Novak Djokovic, Candace Parker and Sloane Stephens are investors in the company.
Project B intends to run its inaugural season from November 2026 through April 2027 – a timeframe that would not put it at odds with the WNBA if and when the league returns to action.
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But time is running out.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Wilson WNBA basketball during the game between the Dallas Wings and the Washington Mystics at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The WNBA and the WNBPA are entering a critical juncture in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. The union opted out of the current deal and the agreement now expires November 30 2025, after both parties agreed to a 30-day extension. Major sticking points include a new salary model tied to revenue, expanded benefits (such as maternity and fertility protections), larger roster sizes, codified charter travel, and a more meaningful share of league revenue for players.
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If no new agreement is reached by the November 30 deadline, several paths are possible: another extension of the negotiations, entering a “status quo” period under the existing CBA conditions, or ultimately a work stoppage — most likely a lock-out initiated by team owners or a players’ strike. Because the league is gearing up for expansion, free agency, and a major media rights deal taking effect soon, the risk of a disruption to the 2026 season is higher than ever.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
