Global offseason basketball league Project B, which is set to begin play in November 2026, has secured a partner that puts it in the same company as the FIFA World Cup. Host Broadcast Services (HBS) will be the official broadcaster for the league’s inaugural circuit as part of a multi-year agreement, the league told USA TODAY. HBS has handled coverage of some of the world’s most-watched sporting events. It’s FIFA’s host broadcaster for the World Cup this year, and has been since 2002. All of Project B’s games will stream live on YouTube with HBS managing the broadcast production and technical operations. This includes multi-camera functions, replay, graphics, commentary and highlights. HBS will also power the capture of specialized content ranging from player access to immersive production.
Is Project B really happening?
It’s been seven months since the announcement Project B would join the ranks of WNBA offseason basketball leagues with a unique Formula 1-style model for both women and men.
Advertisement
If you’ve wondered whether it will actually come to fruition, you’re not alone. In a conversation with USA TODAY, a spokesperson for Project B laughed while noting that it would be impossible to ignore social media discourse doubting the league will launch.
The idea is no small undertaking: two separate leagues with six teams of 11 for a total of 66-players each, all competing in a global circuit from November 2026 until April 2027. Each city will host a 10-day event. A city champion will be crowned, and those wins contribute to a season-long championship.
Tokyo, Japan, is currently the only announced city, with play slated from March 26 to April 4 at the Toyota Arena.
There are glimmers of other successful models within this one. Women and men will perform on the same global stage as we see during the Olympics with every athlete having equity in Project B, like many WNBA stars do in the Unrivaled offseason women’s basketball league.
Advertisement
The league has less games and less back-to-backs. It doesn’t disclose salaries but promises they are “higher than anything you’ve ever seen in women’s sports.”
That’s significant after the WNBA reached an historic collective bargaining agreement this year that established the league’s first million-dollar players.
What’s with the Project B roster?
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said during a recent appearance on the “The Pat McAfee Show” the next step for the league is broadening the reach of a product that “just (hasn’t) been very global.”
Meanwhile, the women’s roster for Project B is currently up to 14 players representing 10 countries across 5 continents.
Advertisement
From the WNBA, the group includes 2026 No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam (Seattle Storm, Spain), Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings, Australia), Jewell Loyd (Las Vegas Aces, U.S.), Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty, Bahamas), Justė Jocytė (Golden State Valkyries, Lithuania), Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky, Brazil), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever, U.S.), Leïla Lacan (Connecticut Sun, France), Leonie Fiebich (New York Liberty, Germany), Nneka Ogwumike🇸 (Los Angeles Sparks, U.S., represents Nigeria) and Sophie Cunningham (Indiana Fever, U.S.)
French forward Janelle Salaün signed with Project B but will now compete in the EuroLeague this season instead for personal reasons.
Project B will also showcase Li Meng (China) and shooting powerhouse Mai Yamamoto (Japan).
The Project B spokesperson said the league will start announcing men’s players soon and there are no deadlines but to expect a mix of “global superstars and the next generation.”
Advertisement
Those signings are expected to roll out once the NBA season finishes.
Who is backing Project B?
Project B drew early criticism for working with Sela, an entertainment company backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The organization has said publicly it will not receive any money from the company and will instead pay it solely to host league events.
Project B is headed by a decorated and recognizable group. WNBA Champion, DPOY and Hall of Famer Alana Beard is the league’s Chief Basketball Officer.
Co-founder and COO Grady Burnett is a former Facebook and Google Global Sales Executive. CFO Aaron Fischer is MGM Resorts international’s former Chief Strategy Officer.
Advertisement
Maverick Carter, NBA superstar LeBron James’ longtime business partner and Miško Ražnatović, Nikola Jokić’s agent, are also heavily involved.
The league’s group of investors includes women’s basketball legend Cheryl Miller, WNBA legends Candace Parker and Lauren Jackson, along with tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens and NFL great Steve Young.
“I’ve always believed that talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t,” Young told USA Today. “What Project B is doing is creating new opportunities for athletes to be seen, celebrated, and followed by fans around the world.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Project B partners with World Cup to produce global basketball league
