Reports of a Saudi-backed “Project-B” Basketball League have sent shockwaves through the sports world, with sources claiming the league aims to offer record-breaking salaries to women athletes and poach top WNBA stars. What began as whispers of a bold experiment has now evolved into a potential game-changer for women’s basketball — and perhaps, the entire sports industry.

According to early leaks, the proposed Project-B League is funded by a powerful Saudi investment group tied to the nation’s larger initiative to diversify its economy and improve its global image through sports. The same strategy has already shaken men’s golf with LIV Golf, disrupted soccer with Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Neymar’s contracts, and redefined boxing payouts. But this time, the focus is women — and basketball is at the center of it all.

Insiders claim the Project-B League plans to recruit some of the world’s biggest names in women’s basketball, including top WNBA stars, European champions, and international prospects. What’s attracting attention most is the money — salary offers reportedly five to ten times higher than what players currently earn in the WNBA. Some contracts could even reach $10 million per season, an astronomical figure compared to the WNBA’s current maximum salary of roughly $250,000.

The strategy, according to documents seen by insiders, is simple but ruthless: build the most competitive women’s basketball league in the world — instantly. By using unlimited funding and offering superstar salaries, the Saudis believe they can attract not just players, but also fans, sponsors, and media partners. The league’s name, “Project-B,” reportedly stands for “Project Basketball,” symbolizing the ambition to make basketball a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s growing sports portfolio.

Reactions across the WNBA community have been immediate and divided. Some players expressed cautious optimism, calling it an overdue wake-up call for U.S. sports institutions that have long underpaid female athletes. “If they’re offering millions for what we love to do, why wouldn’t we listen?” one veteran WNBA player said anonymously. Others, however, raised concerns about working conditions, cultural limitations, and human rights controversies associated with Saudi Arabia’s government.

Analysts warn that Project-B could trigger a talent drain, similar to what men’s golf experienced when LIV Golf lured top players away from the PGA Tour with record-breaking checks. “If this league actually materializes with the numbers being discussed,” said one sports economist, “the WNBA could lose its biggest names overnight — Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese — all could be targets.” The fear is that without its marquee stars, the WNBA might struggle to maintain attendance, sponsorship, and broadcast deals.

Beyond the economics, Project-B represents a major geopolitical play. Saudi Arabia has invested billions in sports as part of its Vision 2030 plan to shift global perception and reduce reliance on oil. Women’s basketball, with its global fan base and growing influence, is seen as a high-visibility way to promote gender inclusion and modernization. Yet critics say it’s an example of “sportswashing” — using sports to divert attention from ongoing human rights issues.

Despite skepticism, reports suggest that groundwork for Project-B is already underway. Stadium construction projects have been approved, a multi-billion-dollar media deal is rumored to be in negotiation with international broadcasters, and a promotional campaign featuring high-profile athletes from multiple continents is in development. The league would reportedly launch with eight teams, each based in a different international hub, including Riyadh, Dubai, London, and potentially New York or Los Angeles, depending on partnerships.

Marketing experts say the timing couldn’t be more strategic. Women’s basketball has seen explosive growth thanks to players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Sabrina Ionescu, whose popularity transcends the sport itself. “Project-B is positioning itself as the league that values these women the way male athletes have been valued for decades,” said one analyst. “They’re not just buying players — they’re buying influence.”

The WNBA, however, is not standing idly by. Sources say league executives are holding emergency strategy meetings to discuss how to retain top talent and secure better financial backing. There’s talk of accelerating new sponsorship deals, expanding global broadcasting rights, and increasing the player salary cap. Yet even with reforms, the financial gulf between what the WNBA can offer and what Saudi investors are rumored to pay may simply be too wide to close.

Fans are split down the middle. Some see Project-B as an overdue revolution — a chance for women athletes to finally earn what they’re worth. Others fear it’s the beginning of the end for the WNBA, a league that has fought tirelessly for visibility, respect, and progress. The debate over ethics versus opportunity has already consumed social media, with hashtags like #ProjectB, #WomenDeserveMore, and #SaveTheWNBA trending across multiple platforms.

Caitlin Clark’s name, unsurprisingly, dominates the conversation. Insiders claim Project-B’s executives view her as their “global centerpiece” — the player who could draw instant worldwide attention. Unverified reports suggest an offer exceeding $50 million for a multi-year contract, including ambassadorial roles and brand partnerships. Whether she would even consider it is unknown, but the rumor alone is enough to make headlines daily.

The potential ripple effect extends beyond basketball. If Project-B succeeds, it could spark similar leagues in other women’s sports — soccer, tennis, even volleyball — all backed by global capital. For years, female athletes have spoken out about unequal pay and recognition. A Saudi-backed league willing to throw billions at the issue could accelerate change — but also reshape where and how that change happens.

Still, questions remain. Will U.S. broadcasters air Project-B games if political tensions arise? Can Western players adapt to playing in Middle Eastern countries with different cultural expectations? And will the fans who fought to elevate the WNBA feel betrayed if their idols take the money and leave?

For now, everything remains in speculation mode. But the fact that the idea feels possible — and that players, fans, and investors are taking it seriously — speaks volumes. The sports world has learned never to underestimate Saudi Arabia’s ability to turn rumors into billion-dollar realities.

If Project-B truly launches, it could mark a new era of women’s basketball, one powered by unprecedented wealth, global reach, and ambition. But it also raises the question: can progress built on money alone sustain itself? Or will it fracture the foundations of the sport it claims to uplift? Either way, one thing is certain — women’s basketball will never be the same again.