The president of the VNBA players’ union, Nneka Ogwumike, is joining Project B

If the players’ union struggles to reach an agreement with the WNBA on the implementation of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), its president, Mrs. Ogwumikehe has already signed up for the new league. MVP 2016 thus becoming the first player to join “Project B,” a new league that competes with the NBA and WNBA with games to be played around the world.

The inaugural season could begin in November 2026 and end in April 2027 and thus not intrude on the VNBA calendar, which generally resumes in June.

If it sees the light of day, this “Project B” will consist of six teams of eleven players each, i.e. 66 athletes, and will offer salaries higher than those in the VNBA, but also Unrivaledleague of Naphisa Collier and Breanna Stewart which is set to begin its second season next January.

“It’s not something that’s offered to us at all, and I’m talking about female athletes” A CONSTATE NNKA OGWUMIKE in relation to project B wages. “The fact that there was a level of fairness from the beginning, that got my attention. That’s something I obviously stand for.”

F1 inspires Project B

Project B should adopt a special form because instead of a traditional championship, this new league would take the form of a circuit, as practiced in tennis or golf with a tournament in each city, as explained by its director Alana Baird.

“Our goal is to create an event in the same style as Formula 1” she elaborates. “There will be a tournament in each city with a champion each time, which could ultimately allow us to crown a world champion.”

Alana Beard reveals that several WNBA stars have already agreed to join this new league and that a men’s championship is in the works, but details have not been finalized…

This announcement by Nneka Ogwumika comes in a very specific context in the VNBA as no compromise has yet been found on the new collective bargaining agreement due to a deep disagreement over future player salaries. The current CBA will end at the end of November and if the two camps don’t come to an agreement, we could be headed for a “lockout” that would result in the 2026 season being delayed.

Meanwhile, Nneka Ogwumike, like the players who have joined Unrivaled, is making sure to get other guarantees to maximize the profits of her career. “There are a lot of other opportunities for players outside of the WNBA and that’s always been the case,” recalls the 35-year-old player. “Project B is just new. I know a lot of players are doing everything they can to ensure they maximize their wins throughout their career. I’m lucky to be able to do this.”