Seattle Storm star and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike signed with Project B, becoming the first player to join the new global basketball league. The league announced the signing with multiple sources telling Front Office Sports that other WNBA players have already signed deals worth up to $2 million annually.

Project B, founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice, will host tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America from November 2026 through April 2027. The league officially announced its plans in October and will feature six teams of 11 players competing in 5-on-5 competition.

Multiple stars are being offered seven-figure salaries starting at $2 million annually, sources said. Players will also receive equity stakes in the league, similar to Unrivaled's compensation structure. The WNBA's current supermax salary is $249,244, with an October proposal including a supermax closer to $850,000.

The timing of Ogwumike's announcement drew immediate attention from WNBA executives, who viewed it as leverage during ongoing CBA negotiations. The WNBA and union entered a 30-day extension last week, establishing November 30 as the new deadline. The league declined to comment on Project B's potential impact.

Project B's season directly conflicts with Unrivaled and European leagues that operate during the WNBA offseason. Nearly 30 Unrivaled players hold multiyear contracts with exclusivity clauses during their playing months, potentially complicating Project B signings.

"We're confident with what we've built in collaboration with our athletes, partners, and investors," Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell said in a statement. "We remain consistent in our approach to pay players competitively, provide a meaningful stake in the business, and keep them home year-round."

Project B's investor group includes WNBA champions Candace Parker, Alana Beard, and Lauren Jackson, plus tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens. Beard serves as the league's chief basketball officer.