Imagine a basketball league that could rival the NBA and WNBA, shaking up the global sports landscape. That’s the audacious vision behind Project B, a new venture that’s been whispered about for months but is now stepping into the spotlight. But here’s where it gets controversial: could this league truly challenge the established giants of basketball, or is it just a pipe dream? Let’s dive in.
It all started with a single Instagram post in late July. Maverick Carter, LeBron James, and a prominent European-based NBA agent were spotted yachting in the south of France, hinting at big plans in the caption. The basketball world took notice, and speculation began to swirl about a potential international men’s and women’s league. Carter, James’ longtime friend and business partner, had openly discussed creating an alternative basketball “option” and was reportedly seeking a staggering $5 billion in investments to bring it to life. And this is the part most people miss: while the idea seemed promising, the recent revelation that Carter is no longer involved has left many wondering about the project’s future.
Despite Carter’s departure, Project B is moving forward under the leadership of Grady Burnett, a former Google and Facebook executive, and his co-founder Geoff Prentice, a Skype co-founder. Their focus? A women’s basketball league set to launch next fall, with a men’s league potentially following suit. The women’s league will feature six teams of 11 players each, competing in seven two-week tournaments across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Burnett is confident it could become a multi-billion-dollar business, fueled by the explosive growth of women’s sports.
Here’s the bold part: Project B aims to offer salaries significantly higher than those in the WNBA, while also granting players equity stakes—a move that could redefine how athletes are compensated. But this raises a question: will this league complement or compete with the WNBA? Burnett insists it’s about expanding the sport’s reach, but with WNBA players already in negotiations and the league’s season overlapping with Unrivaled, another upstart league, tensions could rise.
The leadership team is impressive, with former WNBA star Alana Beard as chief basketball officer and investors like Candace Parker, Steve Young, Novak Djokovic, and Sloane Stephens. The league will also partner with Sela, an entertainment company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and will be headquartered in Singapore. Burnett and Prentice’s vision is rooted in their shared background as University of Michigan roommates, emphasizing equity and fair compensation for players.
But here’s the real question: What about the men’s league? When Carter was involved, comparisons to the controversial LIV Golf league emerged, partly due to Saudi backing and James’ potential involvement. Now, without Carter, will star players still be drawn to the promise of higher pay and equity? Burnett remains tight-lipped but doesn’t rule out expansion into men’s basketball.
Meanwhile, LeBron James’ role in all this remains a mystery. With his NBA contract ending soon and rumors of retirement swirling, his summer meeting with Carter and agent Miško Ražnatović on that yacht only fueled speculation. However, sources close to James insist he has “zero” involvement in Project B, focusing instead on his NBA career and potential ownership of an NBA franchise post-retirement.
As Project B prepares to announce its first WNBA signings, the basketball world is watching closely. Will this league revolutionize women’s basketball, or will it face pushback from established organizations? And what does it mean for the future of men’s basketball? Here’s where you come in: Do you think Project B can succeed where others have failed, or is it destined to fade into obscurity? Let’s debate in the comments!
