Project B, a women’s basketball startup league, landed a second big signing as Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas will be joining the league in November 2026.
Project B is a Saudi-backed startup league with a long list of high-profile investors, including retired WNBA star Candace Parker, that promises players big salaries and equity stakes in the league. Thomas was introduced by the league as a “player,” “partner,” and “owner.”
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In a social media video shared on the league’s platform, Thomas said she’s “looking forward to joining Project B.”
Thomas led the Mercury to the 2025 WNBA Finals in her first season in Phoenix after posting a league-high eight triple-doubles in the regular season. The 33-year-old will participate this offseason in the second season of Unrivaled, a domestic 3-on-3 league that tips off in January 2026. She will be a member of the Laces.
The league’s main selling point is a promise to dish out salaries larger than the WNBA ($66,079- $249,244 per season) and Unrivaled ($220,000 per season). Front Office Sports reported that player deals will reach seven figures and start at $2 million annually. Thomas’ base salary with the Mercury in 2025 was $215,000.
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Project B, which will be made up of six teams of 11, will be played on a traveling circuit, similar to F1 racing, golf and tennis. The games are expected to be played in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Thomas joins Nneka Ogwumike as veteran WNBA All-Stars to sign with the league that will play a global, 11-week schedule in its inaugural season from November 2026 to April 2027. However, according to ESPN, the season will not overlap with the WNBA season.
One of the points of contention during collective bargaining agreement negotiations for the WNBA is player compensation and prioritization. The league wants exclusivity from its players, while the players want the opportunities to supplement their incomes in overseas leagues that pay more.
The new CBA was extended until the end of November, which means both sides will have to find an agreement soon as other players make future commitments.
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Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury star joins new startup league Project B
