Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick of the 2026 WNBA draft and a rising star for the Dallas Wings, has announced her commitment to Project B, an ambitious international basketball league that promises to reshape the landscape of women's professional hoops.
A Global Format Takes Shape
The league plans to debut in January with a Formula 1‑inspired schedule that will take games to six cities across the globe, including Tokyo and Valencia, Spain. This itinerant model is designed to build a worldwide fanbase while offering players a share of the league's equity, echoing the structure of the domestic 3‑on‑3 league Unrivaled.
Project B is financed by a coalition of former Facebook and Skype executives and advised by Maverick Carter, the business partner of LeBron James. Their backing reflects a belief that the sport can thrive when it marries competitive play with a stake in the underlying business.
Fudd's International Play
Fudd expressed excitement about the opportunity to travel and expand her international presence. In the United States she already enjoys major sponsorships, including a partnership with the hair‑color brand Madison Reed, and she is now turning to platforms such as Douyin and Rednote to grow her following in China and Japan.
Her move underscores a broader trend: the WNBA and NBA are increasingly international, with the women's league attracting talent from outside the United States and the men's league feeling the pressure of a more disruptive, globally‑oriented competitor.
Controversy and Clarification
Project B has faced scrutiny over reports of Saudi funding, but co‑founder Grady Burnett has denied any such investment, stating that the league has successfully completed its capital raise and remains focused on its basketball ambitions.
Other notable WNBA players who have joined the venture include Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Mitchell and Jewell Loyd, signaling a growing appetite among top talent for a league that promises both competitive prestige and financial equity.