Sophie Cunningham and Azzi Fudd have chosen to sign with Project B. Instead of opting for the US-based Unrivaled, they’ll travel the world competing in theGrand Prix-style tournament during the 2027 WNBA off-season. Now, Project B advisor Chiney Ogwumike has opened up on the benefits.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
“Project B is a unique place where you’re getting the same level of benefits that the W just got with their CBA, but you’re getting that in, then some internationally, going to great cities, being taken care of, I mean, the money…” said Ogwumike.
Before Ogwumike could finish, Renee Montgomery excitedly filled in the details about the money. “The money, yes, the money is seven figures. And we’re not talking about the small side of it, sometimes, like I’m seeing some salaries are starting, like 2 million,” Chiney Ogwumike said on Women’s Sports Now.
In fact, Azzi Fudd’s decision to join Project B is primarily fueled by her zeal to play internationally. “I spoke to Ashanti on Azzi Fudd’s podcast, Fudd Around And Find Out,” Ogwumike said.
“Azzi spoke of how her dad played overseas, how her mom wanted to play overseas, and that overseas was a part of the basketball fabric for women’s basketball. And she always wanted to travel the world.”
In the long run, this will even help strengthen the global landscape of women’s basketball. During her conversation on the ESPN show, the two-time All-Star echoed the same sentiment.
“The reason I would say Project B is really cool and revolutionary is that the way we’re seeing Formula 1 go to different cities and ignite a global audience,” Ogwumike said. “There’s a need for that in women’s basketball.”
Top players, including Nneka Ogwumike and Kelsey Mitchell, have also signed with this new league. Meanwhile, a WNBA analyst sees Fudd’s decision as a warning sign for Unrivaled.
Robin Lundberg sheds light on the significance behind Azzi Fudd’s decision
Many felt that Azzi Fudd would follow the same roadmap as most players have done in the last two years when choosing her offseason tournament. And this shift in decision is something that WNBA analyst Robin Lundberg feels can spell trouble for Unrivaled.
“Project B is a new shiny toy,” Lundberg said via his YouTube channel. “They are collecting some pretty big-name players, and Fudd is a star in her own right. Obviously, the No. 1 pick for the Wings has had a pretty good rookie season, even though she’s almost gotten knocked down because of how good Olivia Miles has been.
“But Azzi Fudd has been d*** good. Not getting her, and her sort, setting that tone of going to Project B, assuming Project B does indeed get off the ground and become a real thing. That could obviously be a blow to Unrivaled.”
However, Unrivaled is primarily a national league. It offers great competition and has players like Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Aliyah Boston. The 3-on-3 format would also offer Fudd a different challenge.
However, it won’t give Fudd the international experience that she wants in her career. Whether Fudd’s decision impacts Unrivaled in the long run remains to be seen.
