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Nneka Ogwumike Joins Project B as First Announced Player, Pressuring WNBA CBA Talks

Her salary-plus-equity pact underscores fresh leverage for players in pay, revenue sharing, offseason rules talks.

Overview

  • Ogwumike, the WNBPA president, is participating in ongoing CBA negotiations that were extended 30 days through November with the sides still far apart.
  • Project B plans a November 2026 to April 2027 debut with six teams of 11 players competing in a traveling, tournament-style circuit across Asia, Europe and the Americas, with games streamed.
  • League officials say the targeted 66 players will receive salaries larger than current WNBA pay, with every player also receiving an equity stake.
  • Project B was founded by Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice and former Facebook executive Grady Burnett, with Alana Beard serving as chief basketball officer.
  • Investor backers include Candace Parker, Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens, with Sela cited as a future partner, while Ogwumike’s announcement drew public WNBPA support and renewed scrutiny of union leaders’ ties to rival leagues.