NEW YORK — The WNBA has enjoyed a historic surge in popularity over the last year, largely fueled by the arrival of generational talent Caitlin Clark. Arenas are full, merchandise is flying off the shelves, and TV ratings are shattering records. But behind the scenes, a storm is brewing that threatens to wash away everything the league has built. According to a league legend, the WNBA is staring down a financial crisis that could ultimately prove to be an “extinction event.”

The threat comes in the form of a mysterious new competitor known only as “Project B,” a rival league that is reportedly preparing to launch a financial assault on the women’s professional game. The numbers being whispered in locker rooms and agent offices aren’t just competitive; they are transformative.

The $25 Million Question

At the center of this potential seismic shift is Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever rookie, who has single-handedly revitalized interest in the sport, is reportedly the primary target for Project B. The proposed compensation package is staggering: a potential salary of $15 million to $25 million per year.

To put that figure in perspective, Clark’s current WNBA salary is a fraction of that, and even the league’s maximum contract sits well below $300,000. A $25 million annual payday would not only make Clark the highest-paid female basketball player in history but would also rival her massive endorsement deal with Nike.

“We’re talking about offers so massive that even the league’s biggest stars would be foolish to turn them down,” the source report states. “It’s math. Cold, brutal, financially devastating math that makes loyalty look like career suicide.”

Angel McCoughtry Sounds the Alarm

The credibility of these rumors was bolstered significantly by recent comments from Angel McCoughtry. A six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion, McCoughtry is a battle-tested veteran who understands the financial realities of the league better than anyone. Appearing on the Good Follow podcast, McCoughtry broke down exactly why players are likely to jump ship.

“You’re a current player… I’m making $250,000… [Project B offers] $2 million,” McCoughtry explained, highlighting the disparity. “Who’s going to turn that down?”

McCoughtry’s insight paints a grim picture for the WNBA’s front office. She detailed how “Project B” isn’t just targeting superstars like Clark and reigning MVP A’ja Wilson—who could reportedly command $8 million to $10 million annually—but is also coming for the rank-and-file players.

The report indicates that the minimum salary for a bench player in the new league would be $2 million. For athletes who have historically had to play overseas in Turkey, Russia, or China just to make ends meet, such an offer represents immediate, life-altering generational wealth.

Ownership and Equity

Money isn’t the only weapon in Project B’s arsenal. The rival league is reportedly offering players something the WNBA has never provided: equity.

By giving athletes ownership stakes in the league, Project B would transform them from employees into partners, aligning their financial interests with the league’s growth. This model addresses a long-standing grievance among WNBA players regarding revenue sharing and their slice of the financial pie.

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A Perfect Storm of Controversy

The emergence of a deep-pocketed rival couldn’t come at a worse time for the WNBA. While the league battles for its financial future, internal friction is also mounting. The report highlights recent controversial comments by Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham regarding fan behavior as an example of the growing disconnect between the league and its new audience.

Cunningham defended aggressive on-court play and critiqued fans for misjudging players, a move that some analysts labeled “tone-deaf” in a climate where fan loyalty is paramount.

“You’ve got players potentially jumping ship for generational wealth while simultaneously alienating the very fans who could save the league,” the report notes. “It’s chaos on every front.”

The End of Leverage

For decades, the WNBA’s primary leverage has been that it is the premier women’s basketball league in the world. Players returned from lucrative overseas stints because they wanted to play in the best league, on American soil, in front of American fans.

However, McCoughtry dismissed the narrative that playing outside the WNBA is a hardship. Recounting her own experiences playing internationally, she described a lifestyle of “great food, rich culture, and legendary parties,” effectively debunking the idea that players will stay in the WNBA purely for comfort or patriotism.

If Project B launches with the capital to back up its promises, the WNBA will have lost its monopoly on elite talent. Losing Caitlin Clark, the “golden goose” who drives viewership and revenue, would be catastrophic.

As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Clark and the league’s other superstars. Will they stay loyal to the league that drafted them, or will the allure of $25 million and ownership stakes prove too powerful to resist?

As McCoughtry warned, “The writing isn’t just on the wall; it’s spray-painted in neon letters.” The countdown to the WNBA’s biggest battle has begun.