Azzi Fudd Joins Upstart Global League 'Project B' in Major Shift for Women's Basketball Economy

Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, has officially committed to playing her offseason basketball with Project B, a newly formed global 5-on-5 league. The Dallas Wings rookie announced her decision on social media, marking a significant milestone in the rapidly evolving landscape of women's professional sports. By securing the most prominent young star in the game, Project B has signaled its intent to aggressively compete for top-tier talent on the international stage.[1][2]

The decision represents a notable pivot for Fudd, who previously held an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with Unrivaled, the domestic 3-on-3 league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Many industry observers expected the former UConn standout to remain stateside and join Unrivaled's Miami-based circuit. Instead, Fudd opted for the international stage, stating that basketball has always been a global pursuit for her and that she wanted to embrace the opportunity to travel.[3][4]

"Basketball has always been global to me," Fudd said in a statement released by Project B. "It's given me the opportunity to see the world, connect with people from different cultures and go places I never imagined. That's why I've always dreamed of playing abroad. Project B brings players and fans from everywhere together and I can't wait to get out there."[4]

Project B, conceived in 2023 by tech executives Grady Burnett and Geoff Prentice, aims to revolutionize the offseason economy for women's basketball. With former WNBA champion Alana Beard serving as Chief Basketball Officer, the league is structured as a traveling global circuit. It will feature six teams of 11 players—66 athletes in total—competing in seven two-week tournaments across Europe, Asia, and the Americas between November and April.[2][5]

The league's format draws inspiration from Formula 1, crowning local champions at each 10-day tour stop while feeding into a season-long championship race. Organizers have already announced Valencia, Spain, and Tokyo, Japan, as two of the inaugural host cities. To ensure high-end production value, Project B has partnered with Host Broadcast Services, the same company responsible for broadcasting the FIFA World Cup, to stream all of its games globally.[2][5]

Beyond its international footprint, Project B is disrupting the market with unprecedented financial packages. The league is reportedly offering baseline salaries of $2 million—far exceeding the WNBA's current maximum contracts—alongside equity stakes that make the athletes part-owners of the enterprise. This player-centric economic model was designed to give athletes "tech-like returns" on the league's long-term growth, fundamentally changing how female athletes build generational wealth.[6][7]

Fudd joins a formidable roster of established WNBA veterans who have already signed on to the ambitious project. The league's early acquisitions include WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Jewell Loyd, and Kelsey Mitchell. The addition of Fudd, alongside international stars like Brazil's Kamilla Cardoso and France's Janelle Salaün, bridges the gap between the sport's established vanguard and its next generation of superstars.[2][6]

The emergence of Project B creates a fascinating competitive dynamic with Unrivaled. While Unrivaled offers players the comfort of staying in the United States and avoiding the grueling traditional overseas grind, Project B provides a traditional 5-on-5 format, massive financial incentives, and global exposure. Both leagues are capitalizing on the explosive growth of women's basketball, offering lucrative alternatives to the historic EuroLeague route that players have relied on for decades.[3][6]

For the broader women's basketball ecosystem, this competition is a massive victory for player empowerment. Athletes are no longer restricted to a binary choice between resting during the WNBA offseason or accepting standard overseas contracts. With multiple well-funded entities vying for their services, players now wield unprecedented leverage to dictate their compensation, playing conditions, and brand visibility.[6][7]

As the November tip-off approaches, all eyes will be on how Project B executes its ambitious global vision. If the league can successfully fill arenas in cities like Valencia and Tokyo while delivering a premium broadcast product, it could permanently alter the financial trajectory of women's sports. For now, Azzi Fudd's signature serves as a resounding endorsement that the next generation of stars is ready to take the game global.[3][5][7]