Candace Parker & Sloane Stephens Invest in New Basketball League

Two of the most prominent female athletes in sports, WNBA legend Candace Parker and U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, are stepping off the court and into the boardroom as investors in a groundbreaking new professional basketball league, currently dubbed ‘Project B.’ This initiative aims to revolutionize the game by offering players unprecedented financial opportunities and equity.

A League Focused on Player Empowerment

Project B is slated to debut games in the Fall of 2026, with plans for tournaments to be held in international hotspots across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The league’s investment group is spearheaded by notable figures like Geoffrey Prentice, co-founder of Skype, and Grady Burnett, a former Facebook executive. The league will feature both men’s and women’s five-on-five basketball tournaments.

Grady Burnett highlighted the league’s commitment to player compensation, stating, “We’re paying multiples higher than is available right now in the world of women’s sports. We are paying the highest salaries and equity packages in women’s team sports, and this will be some of the best players in the world. We want this to be incredible basketball.” This focus on player value sets Project B apart in the sports landscape.

A Star-Studded Investor Roster

Parker and Stephens are not alone in their investment. They are joined by other prominent sports figures, including tennis star Novak Djokovic, former WNBA player Alana Beard, and ex-NFL quarterback Steve Young. Alana Beard, who also offers insight into how players can capitalize on the league’s marketing value, emphasized the player-centric approach: “The players are our partners; they’re one of our most significant stakeholders. They are creating value, and getting paid for that value.”

The venture draws inspiration from alternative leagues like Unrivaled, which focuses on three-on-three matchups for female players, providing additional earning opportunities during the WNBA and collegiate off-seasons. Project B, however, is committed to traditional five-on-five “elite basketball,” aiming to attract top talent. “This is not a gimmick. We’re playing five-on-five, we’re playing elite basketball. We want the best of the best playing in our league. That’s a full stop,” Beard affirmed.