Shadow League Rising: How Saudi money and “Project B” might destroy the WNBA’s future BB.
The riskiest actions frequently take place in silence in the high-stakes world of professional sports. A storm is building in the background that could reverse years of progress, even as the WNBA celebrates record-breaking viewership and a rise in popularity. It began with a quiet, digital footprint that has internet investigators and basketball insiders raising red flags rather than a press conference or a grandiose marketing campaign. An enigmatic new organization known as “Project B” has started a targeted recruitment campaign that has the potential to deprive the WNBA of its best players and change the face of women’s basketball worldwide.
The “Breadcrumbs” of Social Media Michael, an online analyst, noticed a strange pattern on X (formerly Twitter) and did some astute detective work that led to the revelation. A very exclusive list of just 11 entities is followed by the official account for “Project B,” a covert upcoming league. Three names stood out among them—Kelsey Mitchell, Jonquel Jones, and Kamilla Cardoso—a deliberate trio of exceptional talent rather than haphazard choices.
A “follow” is rarely simply a follow in the current era of sports transactions. It is frequently the first indication that there is a fire going on behind the scenes. Negotiations are probably in progress when a mysterious, well-funded organization specifically targets particular athletes. This is a sniper’s shot at the WNBA hierarchy rather than a scattergun strategy.
The MVP-caliber forward for the New York Liberty, Jonquel Jones, comes next. Jones establishes the league’s immediate credibility and links it to the Caribbean and the larger global veteran community. Her defection would demonstrate that Project B values established greatness rather than just potential because she is a player who has excelled at the highest levels.
Lastly, the brilliant move is the addition of 6-foot-7 rookie sensation Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky. Cardoso serves as a gateway to the enormous South American market in addition to being a player. She embodies the future of the international game with her contagious enthusiasm and millions of Brazilian supporters.
By focusing on these three distinct groups—the American scorer, the international veteran, and the global rising star—Project B is making it clear that it wants to be a “World League” from the start rather than merely a domestic rival. The Whether it’s basketball or graduate school, Kelsey Mitchell of Fever knows to have faith in her process.
Whether it’s basketball or graduate school, Kelsey Mitchell of Fever knows to have faith in her process. The “Unrivaled” Threat and the Saudi Connection A Saudi-owned entertainment company is reportedly the driving force behind this possible exodus. The contentious but indisputable power of “sportswashing” money—funds so large they can offer contracts the WNBA just cannot match—is introduced by this connection. The possibility of earning “life-changing money” in a single season is a temptation that loyalty alone might not be able to resist for athletes who have spent years working overseas in the off-season just to make ends meet.
The WNBA faces a two-front battle as a result of this financial behemoth. Not only does it pose a threat to the established league, but it also has the potential to destroy “Unrivaled,” another brand-new 3-on-3 league started by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Unrivaled marketed itself as a player-owned substitute that offered greater compensation and artistic freedom. However, Unrivaled might be outspent and outwitted before it even starts if Project B can provide exponentially higher salaries and the security of sovereign wealth backing. The player-led revolution might fail if celebrities like Jones and Cardoso—players Unrivaled sorely needs to sell tickets—opt for Project B’s enormous salaries instead.
The Overwhelming Quiet The WNBA’s response—or lack thereof—is arguably the most unsettling part of this unfolding tale. The rumors igniting social media have not been publicly acknowledged, nor have there been any official statements or comforting press releases.
A deep hush falls. It suggests that league executives may be well aware of the risk but are unable to stop it until contracts are actually signed. For many years, the WNBA and foreign leagues have coexisted, but they have always complemented one another and filled the gap during the off-season. It seems that Project B is different. Players will be forced to choose between the WNBA’s legacy and the new challenger’s financial freedom due to its timing, financial might, and aggressive targeting, which all point to a willingness to compete directly.
A Turning Point in Women’s Sports For women’s basketball, we may be witnessing a “LIV Golf” moment. The WNBA may soon have to make an existential decision, much like the PGA Tour was compelled to drastically alter its business strategy in order to stop a complete star exodus to a rival supported by Saudi Arabia.
Even if Kamilla Cardoso, Jonquel Jones, and Kelsey Mitchell are the first dominoes to fall, they won’t be the last. A league loses its product when it loses its future stars and MVPs. The marketability of its players has been the foundation of the WNBA’s recent expansion. The effects on ticket sales, TV deals, and sponsorship could be disastrous if those faces vanish behind a paywall of a rival league.
The world waits and watches for the time being. The offers are supposedly on the table, the “follows” have been clicked, and the players’ silence is getting louder every day. Project B has moved forward. Can the WNBA afford to retaliate? That is the current question.
