Sophie Cunningham on Tuesday was confirmed as the latest player to join the Project B startup, a new 5-on-5 women's basketball league that is set to tour Asia and Europe beginning in 2026.
Cunningham, an Indiana Fever fan favorite who has come to be known as Caitlin Clark's "enforcer," joins Kelsey Mitchell as the second Fever player to join Project B. In a post on X confirming her participation, Cunningham said "unlimited Arby's for life amirite?"
That may be a humorous way to talk about the salary she will be earning in the new overseas league, but compared to what Cunningham and the WNBA's top players earn domestically, the Project B package is no joke.
Cunningham ticketed for $2 million salary
Like the eight players announced before her, Cunningham will get a share of equity in Project B, which will espouse a Formula 1-esque calendar in holding seven two-week tournaments around the world between November 2026 and April 2027.
Cunningham will not only be a Project B partner; she will earn a salary north of $2 million, as Front Office Sports has reported.
PLAYER. PARTNER. OWNER. Sophie Cunningham
— PROJECT B (@projectb_global) November 25, 2025
"Excited to join Project B’s athlete roster as they launch a new chapter in women’s basketball. Our game is exploding in popularity, and I’m all in on carrying that momentum forward in any way I can, both at home in the US and beyond."… pic.twitter.com/1alEG4u9MQ
That $2 million salary pales in comparison to the $100,000 that Cunningham earned when she joined the Fever in a trade from the Phoenix Mercury in February. It is roughly eight times the WNBA's supermax salary of $249,244.
As the WNBA faces continued labor strife amid protracted collective bargaining negotiations with the WNBPA, the looming specter of Project B gives the league less leverage as it works toward a historic new CBA.
That is because even WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike has opted to take the money that is on offer from Project B -- and dozens more players are expected to follow in the months ahead.
More WNBA news:
- The reason why Caitlin Clark fans are mad at USA Basketball again
- Sophie Cunningham supports Michael Porter Jr. Amid controversial assertion about the WNBA
- This is how much money Caitlin Clark would make under the WNBA's proposed CBA
- Wings encouraged to pair Paige Bueckers with 'best shooter in America' after WNBA draft lottery
- Why WNBA lockout chances just rose significantly