Recently, the ongoing CBA talks have ravaged the WNBA. With players asking for better pay and a revenue-sharing structure, the league leadership appears uninterested. As a result, the players have been strongly advocating for the resignation of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
But as per the recent updates, Engelbert has reaffirmed her commitment to the WNBA and has refused to step down from her position. Meanwhile, as player protests gain traction, the league faces a serious challenge from another league set to debut next year.
The Saudi-backed league Project B is already making waves among the hooping community. It has already managed to secure a contract with the WNBPA President, Nneka Ogwumike. And with more players rumored to be associated with the league, the dark clouds are already looking even darker for the WNBA.
Why Is Project B A Threat For The WNBA?
At the moment, two of the WNBA’s prominent stars, Ogwumike and Alyssa Thomas, have signed up for the league. This is a particularly concerning trend for the WNBA. Why? Well, Sela partly funds Project B.
The funds for Sela come from the Public Investment Fund, owned by the Saudi royal family, with an estimated valuation of $900 billion. It is therefore clear that there will be no shortage of money in the league.
Keep your eyes on Project B, the new women's basketball league offering multi-million dollar salaries to WNBA stars.
— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) November 12, 2025
While lucrative, the league has also prompted concerns of "sportswashing" due to its ties to a Saudi-owned entertainment company. pic.twitter.com/3SaxeUlAyz
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As the players are currently fighting for better pay, the possibility of earning significantly more than the WNBA is offering might tempt them. And this, in turn, might result in a rapid downward plummet for the WNBA. With the reports coming in, some of the players might get at least $2 million in the opening season. And this has not only worried the WNBA but also the future of Unrivaled.
How Will Unrivaled Be Negatively Impacted By Project B?
Not only the WNBA, but Unrivaled might also suffer drastically after the launch of Project B. As of now, the new league’s organizers have stated that they do not intend to interfere with the WNBA’s schedule.
Thus, the league will debut in November 2026 and run until April. This means that WNBA players will return just in time for the WNBA season. Unfortunately, for Unrivaled, it is a completely different situation. Unrivaled runs from January to March, practically meaning that it will be up to the players to decide which league they will play for.