As the WNBA and the WNBPA are yet to come to a consensus regarding the CBA terms, a rival project is making moves that are attracting some top WNBA stars, too. Especially because the discussions between the two bodies could potentially delay the start of the WNBA season.

With genuine concerns regarding a potential lockout, people have started speculating about alternatives. One project that has been constantly making the headlines is Project B, which claims to be an additive project to take the WNBA to the entire world. Project B has announced its initial plans to conduct its first edition in Tokyo, Japan, in March 2027. Kelsey Mitchell and Alyssa Thomas have also joined the Project B league.

Sabreena Merchant talked about it on No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, highlighting how Project B can emerge as a rival to the WNBA, especially with the March tour dates clashing with WNBA preseason training.

Sabreena said, “We have reported in the CBA negotiations that the league has suggested that training camps start in March. So that would directly conflict with when the Project B players are supposed to be in Tokyo. We know they’re (WNBA) not really trying to get exclusivity, but if you need players to report to camp in March, you can’t really do that if they’re playing in Tokyo.”

The project is headed by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice. Former WNBA star Candace Parker and Tennis veteran Novak Djokovic are on board as advisors. Adding to them, Sophie Cunningham, Alyssa Thomas, and Kelsey Mitchell have committed to the project.

Cunningham also recently opened up about how the CBA discussions have been taking place, and she didn’t mince words. The Indiana Fever’s star called out the WNBPA for its poor management.

Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Mitchell are currently playing for the Laces and the Hive, respectively, in the second season of Unrivaled Basketball. Unrivaled is a 3×3 fast-paced basketball league that mainly serves as an offseason option for players to remain in the United States instead of having to go play internationally for financial and fitness reasons.

The WNBA should look into revamping its season schedule

As Women’s Basketball continues to gain popularity and eyeballs, the WNBA schedule is slowly coming into question. The governing body has announced the addition of two new franchises, Toronto and Portland, to the WNBA, with the Expansion Draft set to happen as soon as the CBA agreement is done.

With the two new teams, the WNBA will now boast 15 teams, with plans to extend the number to 18. More teams will inevitably mean a longer, more demanding season. The players do need an offseason. There are also Unrivaled, drafts, and free agency periods to deal with, apart from the regular season and playoffs.

Sabreena Merchant gave the example of Unrivaled Basketball and how the addition of 2 new teams and the prospect of more games was met with an expansion in schedule, something the WNBA can learn from. While negotiations about the CBA are taking place between the players and the WNBA, the governing body needs to address the scheduling issues as well, especially with Project B also coming into the picture from 2027.

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With stakeholders like Unrivaled and Project B also taking up a part of the 2027 schedule, it will be important for all parties to come to a consensus regarding the schedule if everyone has to coexist, which is the purpose for which the other two have been created.