WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has revealed that she tried – and failed – to lure Caitlin Clark to a new overseas basketball league.
Project B is a startup venture that is expected to take some of the sport’s biggest names to Europe and Asia in November 2026.
Several WNBA players have already signed up, including All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Jonquel Jones, with salaries reportedly starting at $2million. That would dwarf earnings in the WNBA and another startup, Unrivaled.
Cunningham, Clark’s teammate on the Indiana Fever, has also decided to join Project B, which is being headed up by ex-Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice.
On her ‘Show Me Something’ podcast, Cunningham said she attempted to recruit the biggest name in women’s basketball to the league. ‘I tried to get her to play,’ the 29-year-old said. ‘She was like: “No.”‘
Cunningham also turned down Project B – twice – before changing her mind after hearing about ‘access to top treatment, charter flights and more.’
Sophie Cunningham has revealed that she tried – and failed – to lure Caitlin Clark to Project B
Cunningham attempted to recruit the biggest name in women’s basketball to the league
Fever star Cunningham also turned down Project B – twice – before changing her mind
‘I think the people that are running it are just good, good people,’ she 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 has twice turned down the chance to join Unrivaled, which was founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart and kicked off earlier this year.
The former Iowa standout failed to build on her remarkable rookie season that led to skyrocketing TV ratings and an explosion of interest in women’s basketball.
She played in only 13 games in 2025, which equates to 30 per cent, and was ruled out out for the rest of the season on September 4 with a groin injury.
But despite her limited game time on the court, and her meagre $114,000 WNBA salary, Clark was still able to rake in a significant amount over the past 12 months.
That’s because Clark’s 2025 earnings were massively supplemented by $16m in off-court ventures. Clark’s sponsors include Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Xfinity and Hy-Vee.
