WNBA fans are still keeping a close eye on Project B — and on the players who appear interested in the upcoming women's professional 5x5 league, which will be played in two-week tournaments throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Though Project B has so far made it clear the league's first season will be played from November 2026-April 2027, which should mean it won't immediately pose a problem for the WNBA, there are also whispers that the team behind the league is open to potential conflict down the road. That's a different stated objective than what's been offered by Unrivaled, the 3x3 league in Miami that has demonstrated a repeated willingness to adapt and work with the WNBA, and Athletes Unlimited.
So far, only two players have publicly announced they've signed with Project B ahead of the first season: WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. But that doesn't mean other players aren't interested, and a quick glance at the league's social media confirms others are following along with Project B's progress.
Additional players who are following Project B include Jewell Loyd, who just won a championship with the Aces, as well as Brittney Griner, Bria Hartley, and Leonie Fiebich. Notably, the Instagram account follows Marine Johannes, Kelsey Mitchell, Kamilla Cardoso, Jonquel Jones, and Janelle Salaun.
Following an account on social media doesn't have to indicate much in and of itself, and it's fair and likely that plenty of players are curious about a league that's reportedly offering athletes millions of dollars in terms of a signing bonus and/or season contract. At the end of the day, basketball is a job like any other, and athletes are racing a clock when it comes to contending with injuries and other risks that come with the sport.
But this interest could be a signal to the WNBA that leadership needs to truly pay attention to the demands players have made all season throughout CBA negotiations. If players feel that the WNBA isn't open to supporting them the way they should be, they could go find somewhere else to play — and, eventually, that might mean they don't have the time and space to play in the W at all.
Granted, some of the players who are following Project B are likely closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, but not all. If the WNBA isn't taking Project B seriously yet, it may serve the league to at least keep an eye on what's brewing — and to meet the players in the league where they're at sooner than later.