The WNBA’s biggest concern may not just be the CBA deadlock, but a new, ambitious global rival on the rise. Reports suggest that the Saudi-backed Project B is set to launch an international women’s basketball league, threatening the WNBA’s relevance and dominance. Additionally, the vision starts with a women’s league based in Singapore, structured around seven two-week tournament events spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The season would run its course from November to April, directly overlapping with the WNBA’s offseason.
However, according to an analyst, Ken Swift, the biggest threat the WNBA faces is losing one of its star players, such as Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever star has lately been out of the league due to injury, and notably, the team decided to sign Odyssey Sims for the rest of the season.
WNBA Analyst Thinks Saudi-backed Project B Could Build Around Caitlin Clark
Project B has assembled a formidable team behind the scenes. Former WNBA player Alana Beard is serving as their Chief Basketball Officer. While other prominent figures from the sports world, like Novak Djokovic, Steve Young, and Candace Parker, are backing the league. The mix of sporting legends clearly indicates the project is setting its sights on making a global statement.
WNBA analyst Ken Swift recently noted that with the kind of top-dollar figures Project B is allegedly offering, major players like Caitlin Clark wouldn’t think twice before getting on board. Swift also emphasized that Project B’s format aligns perfectly with the WNBA offseason, thereby posing a significant poaching risk.
Additionally, it will also allow players to participate without missing domestic play. This, they warned, could help Project B build a global basketball circuit with far higher revenue potential. What makes this project a threat is not its ambitions but the funding. The league is reportedly in a strategic relationship with Sela, an entertainment company affiliated with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Ken Swift highlighted the potential aggressiveness of Project B’s recruitment efforts and chances to pursue Caitlin Clark.
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“There’s no way they don’t try to build a league around Caitlin, and they have the dollars to 100% make it happen,” Swift wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “They are so rich, profit means nothing. 50 mill for Caitlin, and she’s in for sure.”
There’s no way they don’t try to build a league around Caitlin and they have the dollars to 100% make it happen. They are so rich, profit means nothing. 50 mill for Caitlin and she’s in for sure. https://t.co/LXMfxM7Pih
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) October 13, 2025
Clark has largely powered the WNBA’s rise to mainstream recognition. Her record-breaking rookie season, marketability, and commercial appeal have made her the face of a new era in the WNBA. However, with the league still battling salary limitations and an expiring CBA, her star power could soon attract global competition. Additionally, the league experienced rapid growth following the emergence of the Iowa-born star. Therefore, it is evident that if Swift’s speculations are true, then things will be extremely challenging for the league.
Caitlin Clark’s Decision Not To Join Unrivaled Eased A Potential WNBA Threat
Unrivaled’s growing popularity could have been an imminent threat to the WNBA, especially with Caitlin Clark on their roster. Her very presence would’ve sparked immense publicity, sponsors, and global viewership to the league. Unrivaled has assembled a star-studded roster for its 2026 season, featuring numerous prominent WNBA players.
However, Clark decided to sit this season out as well. “I haven’t made any decisions,” Clark explained. “There’s some USA Basketball stuff that is probably my top priority right now that I need to prepare for.”
The Fever star is still recuperating from injuries and has her sights set on USA Basketball. Her absence saves the WNBA from a possible shift in audience and influence, keeping the league’s limelight strictly where it belongs, at least for now.