On his podcast, Show Me Something, Sophie Cunningham and West WilsonCunningham spoke about the growing number of other leagues outside of the WNBA. The Fever guard admitted that most American players would likely play basketball in the offseason for organizations such as Project B, Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited. However, Clark was not on this list. The veteran revealed that she tried to recruit Clark, but was unsuccessful.
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“All these leagues are great, but at the end of the day, if you don’t have the (WNBA), you don’t have the platform. So, you don’t have the eyes. You don’t have the recognition,” Cunningham said, acknowledging that the WNBA remains the preferred choice for many players, including Clark. “I tried to get her in (Project B). She said, ‘No.’
USA TODAY reached out to Cunningham for comment.
Although Clark turned down the Cunninham ground, she says she’s ‘super excited’ to play with teammate Kelsey Mitchell. Cunningham said that after turning down Project B twice, she finally signed on once she learned more details, including access to quality treatment, charter flights and more. She also dismissed the idea that Project B had ties to Saudi Arabia (a growing concern among many basketball circles), saying the league was backed by four wealthy tech companies.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: Jewell Loyd (24) and A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: Jewell Loyd (24) and A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury passes the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) makes a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22).
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with her teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound in front of DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Match 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces goalkeeper Jewell Loyd (24) looks to deflect a loose ball from Phoenix Mercury goalkeeper Sami Whitcomb (33).
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after scoring a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces goalie Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury goalie Kahleah Copper (2).
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces goalie Jewell Loyd (24) faces Phoenix Mercury goalie Kahleah Copper (2).
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts watches the first quarter.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks watch.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Match 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon watches.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Play 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Match 1: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
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The best photos from the Aces vs. Mercury matchup in the 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
“I think the people who run it are just really good people,” she said. “What a great time to grow my brand globally. I can play all year round which will help me stay in shape…I’m reaching my peak.”
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Besides Cunningham and Mitchell, several other WNBA players have joined the organization founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice. The ever-expanding announced list includes Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm forward, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa ThomasNew York Liberty forwards Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich, Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd, Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, former Washington Mystics guard Li Meng and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun and guard Juste Joycte.
Project B, scheduled from November 2026 to April 2027, is expected to consist of six teams of 11 players and played on a traveling circuit abroad. The new league placed emphasis on player compensation, a point of contention in the The WNBA’s ongoing CBA negotiations, reportedly promised to pay players salaries starting at $2 million per year.
