Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has disclosed her unsuccessful attempt to recruit her high-profile teammate, Caitlin Clark, to the ambitious new overseas basketball venture known as Project B.
The Lucrative New League Attracting WNBA Stars
Project B is a startup basketball league set to launch in November 2026, aiming to take some of the sport's biggest names to destinations across Europe and Asia. The venture is being spearheaded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice.
It has already secured commitments from several elite WNBA players, including All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Jonquel Jones. The financial incentive is substantial, with reported salaries starting at $2 million, a figure that dwarfs typical earnings in the WNBA and even the rival startup league, Unrivaled.
Cunningham's Recruitment Pitch and U-Turn
Cunningham, who plays alongside Clark for the Indiana Fever, discussed her recruitment efforts on her 'Show Me Something' podcast. The 29-year-old forward stated she directly approached Clark about joining Project B.
"I tried to get her to play," Cunningham revealed. "She was like: 'No.'" Clark's refusal stands despite the league's significant financial offer.
Interestingly, Cunningham herself was initially hesitant about the project. She admitted to turning down Project B on two separate occasions before ultimately changing her mind. The deciding factors, she explained, were the promise of access to top-tier medical treatment, charter flights, and other premium benefits.
"I think the people that are running it are just good, good people," Cunningham added. "What a great time to expand my brand globally. I get to play year-round, which will help me stay in shape ... I'm hitting my prime."
Clark's Focus and Lucrative Off-Court Earnings
Caitlin Clark's decision to decline Project B follows her earlier rejections of the Unrivaled league, which was founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart and launched earlier this year.
Clark's 2025 WNBA season was unfortunately marred by injury. After a remarkable rookie year that transformed interest and TV ratings for women's basketball, she managed to appear in only 13 games (30% of the season) before being ruled out on September 4 with a groin injury.
Despite her limited on-court action and a base WNBA salary of approximately $114,000, Clark's earnings remained colossal. Her income was massively boosted by an estimated $16 million from off-court ventures in 2025 alone. Her portfolio of major sponsors includes brands such as Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Xfinity, and Hy-Vee.
