Project B, the WNBA offseason-style global league set to begin in November 2026, has secured Host Broadcast Services as its official broadcaster for the inaugural circuit. HBS—FIFA’s host broadcaster for the World Cup since 2002—will run multi-camera productio
For a league that is still seven months into its own doubt cycle, Project B just landed a partner that belongs to the biggest stage in global sports.
The startup league—set to begin play in November 2026—has secured Host Broadcast Services. or HBS. as the official broadcaster for the inaugural circuit under a multi-year agreement. HBS will handle broadcast production and technical operations. while Project B’s games will stream live on YouTube with HBS managing the full production package.
HBS has handled coverage of some of the world’s most-watched sporting events, and this year it serves as FIFA’s host broadcaster for the World Cup. HBS has held that role since 2002.
The agreement lays out a detailed production footprint. HBS will run multi-camera functions, replay, graphics, commentary, and highlights. It will also power the capture of specialized content. from player access to immersive production—an attempt by Project B to look and feel like a true global product rather than a niche offseason experiment.
The business question hanging over Project B has been simple: is it really happening?
It has been seven months since the announcement that Project B would join the ranks of WNBA offseason basketball leagues with a unique Formula 1-style model for both women and men. In a conversation about the plan. a spokesperson for Project B laughed while acknowledging the internet’s skepticism—saying it would be impossible to ignore social media discourse doubting the league will launch.
Project B’s structure is built to make that launch feel real. Two separate leagues will be played, each with six teams of 11 for a total of 66 players. Those teams will compete in a global circuit from November 2026 until April 2027, with every city hosting a 10-day event. A city champion will be crowned, and those wins will feed into a season-long championship.
So far, only Tokyo, Japan is announced. Games in Tokyo are slated to run from March 26 to April 4 at the Toyota Arena.
The roster also signals the league’s stated aim to scale beyond the U.S. Women and men will perform on the same global stage in a format compared to what fans see during the Olympics. with every athlete having equity in Project B—something the league notes as aligning with how many WNBA stars do in the Unrivaled offseason women’s basketball league. The league has less games and fewer back-to-backs than typical schedules. and while it does not disclose salaries. it promises they are “higher than anything you’ve ever seen in women’s sports.”.
That promise lands in a moment when the WNBA has already moved the money needle. This year, the WNBA reached an historic collective bargaining agreement that established the league’s first million-dollar players.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, speaking during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” described Project B as the next step for a league that “just (hasn’t) been very global.” The women’s roster currently includes up to 14 players representing 10 countries across 5 continents.
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 she will 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 league’s spokesperson said Project B will start announcing men’s players soon. There are no deadlines set for when those announcements will come. but signings are expected to roll out once the NBA season finishes. The message is that those teams will feature a mix of “global superstars and the next generation.”.
Backers also play a role in whether Project B can survive its skeptics. The league drew early criticism for working with Sela, an entertainment company backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Project B said publicly that it will not receive any money from the company and will instead pay it solely to host league events.
Project B’s leadership includes Alana Beard—WNBA Champion, DPOY, and Hall of Famer—as 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.
Business partners at the center of the project include Maverick Carter, NBA superstar LeBron James’ longtime business partner, and Miško Ražnatović, Nikola Jokić’s agent.
The investor group includes women’s basketball legend Cheryl Miller. WNBA legends Candace Parker and Lauren Jackson. alongside tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Sloane Stephens and NFL great Steve Young. In a quote. Steve Young said. “I’ve always believed that talent is universal. but opportunity isn’t. ” adding. “What Project B is doing is creating new opportunities for athletes to be seen. celebrated. and followed by fans around the world.”.
The sequence of choices—World Cup-grade broadcasting support. a global player mix. and a leadership roster built from media and entertainment—lands in a moment when Project B still has to prove it can actually deliver. With Tokyo as the only announced stop so far and men’s player announcements expected after the NBA season ends. the league is moving quickly on credibility markers. even as the core question remains the same: will it be on the floor when the calendar flips to November 2026?.
Project B HBS Host Broadcast Services WNBA offseason league FIFA World Cup broadcaster YouTube streaming Tokyo Arena Toyota Arena global basketball league Alana Beard Steve Young Grady Burnett Aaron Fischer Sela Saudi Public Investment Fund