Sophie Cunningham says the WNBA's new CBA does not change her plans with Project B, calling her commitment to the new offseason league a "no-brainer."
Cunningham signed a one-year, $665,000 deal with Indiana this month, subsequently benefiting from one of the most significant CBAs in league history. The agreement raises the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million, with average salaries projected to top $600,000 in 2026.
Still, Cunningham said the financial opportunity with Project B remains too good to pass up.
Speaking with Front Office Sports ahead of the Fever’s April 25th preseason game against the New York Liberty, Cunningham explained why she intended to stick with the commitment she made to Project B last November.
"When they’re offering that type of money, plus the signing bonus, plus having equity in the company, it’s a no-brainer," Cunningham said.
The 5-on-5 venture is reportedly offering players seven-figure paydays starting at $2 million. That's in addition to equity.
"I have financially smart people around me. And they’re like, 'You got to do it. Your body’s got to suck it up,'" Cunningham continued.
"When companies pour into us, they really see our value. That’s not just on the basketball court, that’s just in life as a businesswoman."
But even with the WNBA's expected 600% salary increase, Cunningham cited the international venture's broader impact.
Front Office Sports reported that Cunningham's Project B deal is worth around $2 million annually, in addition to her equity. That figure exceeds the new WNBA supermax of $1.4 million.
For Cunningham, that made staying committed an easy decision.
However, her Project B plans won't affect her plans with the Fever. The 29-year-old is entering her eighth WNBA season, spending her first six years with Phoenix before joining Indiana in 2025.
Cunningham averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season before an MCL injury ended her year early.
