💰 MONEY MOVES

BIG MONEY, BUT AT WHAT COST?

Nneka Ogwumike’s got a new job.

On November 5, it was reported that the Seattle Storm star and WNBPA President is the first women’s basketball player signed on to Project B. What’s Project B, you may ask? It is a new 5×5 league that plans to begin play in November of 2026.

They plan is to have men’s and women’s leagues, but their plan for the men are currently on hold. The league will feature six teams of 11 players on each club and play 5×5 games across Europe, Asia, and Latin America from November to April.

They have an A list of investors, including WNBA legends Candace Parker, Alana Beard, and Lauren Jackson. Their main investor is one of the largest and most influential in the world, and that’s where things get complicated.

One partner of Project B is Sela, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Galaxy Entertainment is a casino group based in the Macau region of China. Sela’s involvement is notable as Saudi Arabia has worked to become a major player in American sports and entertainment. We’ve seen their involvement in the United States as their ten-year partnership with WWE includes WrestleMania 43 in 2027, NFL legend (and Las Vegas Aces co-owner) Tom Brady, and current NFL players taking part in a flag football tournament in March 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Formula One racing, and plenty more.

The PIF is also in competition with the United Arab Emirates to attain more influence in the NBA. Although it’s not her first choice, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert didn’t close the door on the W playing a game in Saudi Arabia. As more money comes in, leagues and organizations will have to decide if it’s worth it. That answer now and forevermore will likely be a resounding YES.

Saudi Arabia’s history of human rights violations and terrible treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals makes this an especially fraught issue. Across WNBA history, players have gone overseas to play for teams in countries that are hostile (and worse) to human rights, so Ogwumike taking part in this new basketball league isn’t new in the long arc of sports history. Saudi Arabia has been wildly successful in using sports to rehabilitate their imag,e and it won’t be stopping any time soon.

Earlier this week, I saw a fascinating clip from Pablo Torre. He was at the Dodd Center of Human Rights in Connecticut and spoke about the silence of various figures and the understanding that everyone essentially has a number that would cause people to sell out their stated principles in favor of immeasurable wealth

Athletes and public figures of various stripes have kept silent on various social issues since the 2024 US Presidential Election and I doubt they start speaking up at this point.

To pivot back to the business of basketball, Project B acknowledges that while they may be competition to the WNBA, their goal is to be “additive” to the global women’s basketball landscape and provide another offering for basketball fans. For Ogwumike in particular, Project B is one organization in a bevy of options for players to take part in.

“There’s so many different opportunities for players outside of (the WNBA) and that’s always been the case,” Ogwumike told the Associated Press. “This is just another one of those opportunities and I know that a lot of players are doing what they can to ensure that they can maximize on the short time that they have in their playing careers. This is my chance to be able to do that.”

According to Front Office Sports, “multiple stars are being offered seven-figure salaries starting at $2 million annually, with their earnings for multiyear deals reaching eight figures. In addition, players will receive equity in the league, similar to Unrivaled.” Candace Parker noted that Project B will give athletes equity and an opportunity to shape the direction of the sport.

Before Ogwumike joins in 2026, she has to complete the business of her current league and secure a transformational Collective Bargaining Agreement. The league and the Players Association are far apart on a series of issues, and there’s a chance things go sideways and the 2026 season will be at serious risk. Signing with a brand new, divisive league during tense CBA negotiations isn’t something I’d do if I were President of the union, but I’m not in her shoes, so maybe my answer would be different if I were.

Ogwumike has a lot on her plate. As a player, she’s looking to earn as much money as possible. As President, she’s fighting for various groups as the WNBPA tries to secure a history-making CBA.

Project B complicates the situation and creates a tense existence for everyone.