Azzi Fudd, the former UConn national champion who was selected first overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, is now preparing for her rookie season with the Dallas Wings.
Her move comes as she has signed a contract with Project B, a new global basketball league slated to debut in 2027. The league, founded by former WNBA star Alana Beard alongside executives Grady Burnett and Geoff Prentice, promises to pay its players more than $1 million annually and to stage tournaments across Europe, Asia and the Americas, with every game streamed worldwide.
Fudd will not be alone; the roster of Project B already includes other WNBA standouts such as Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jewell Loyd, Jonquel Jones, Kelsey Mitchell, Kamilla Cardoso, Sophie Cunningham, Justė Jocytė, Awa Fam, Paige Bueckers, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, among others.
The arrangement reflects a broader shift in women’s basketball, where many top players are opting to play in alternative leagues during the WNBA offseason. Earlier this year, several stars, including Fudd’s teammate Paige Bueckers, joined the 3×3‑style Unrivaled circuit in Miami, while others have found lucrative opportunities in Europe and Asia.
The financial landscape for women’s basketball has changed dramatically since the WNBA’s recent collective bargaining agreement, which codified maximum salaries that can exceed $1 million for its marquee athletes. This development has opened the door for leagues like Project B to attract talent with competitive compensation packages.
Global Ambition and Investment
Investors and advisors backing the venture read like a who’s who of sports and entertainment. Among them are Candace Parker, Steve Young, Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens, who bring both credibility and star power to the league’s ambitious vision.