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Alyssa Thomas Departs WNBA for Global B League, Signaling New Era
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Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 15:41 GMT by Associated Press News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Alyssa Thomas Joins the B League, a New Frontier for Women’s Basketball
In a headline‑making move that has sent shockwaves through the world of women’s basketball, WNBA star Alyssa Thomas has signed a contract with the newly‑formed B League. The B League, unveiled in 2024 as a global women’s basketball platform, promises higher salaries, longer seasons, and a truly international competitive structure. Thomas’s decision to leave the WNBA—a league with a 12‑team structure and a salary cap that has long limited earning potential for its top players—marks a turning point not only in her own career but in the sport’s business model as a whole.
Alyssa Thomas: A Brief Career Snapshot
Drafted 4th overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Thomas quickly established herself as a premier forward‑center. She was a key contributor to the Lynx’s back‑to‑back championships in 2015 and 2017, and was named to the All‑Star team in 2021 while playing for the Washington Mystics. Thomas has also showcased her talent overseas, competing in the EuroLeague with Galatasaray and in the Chinese Women’s Basketball Association (CWBA) during the WNBA off‑season.
At 7‑ft‑2″, Thomas is known for her dominant presence in the paint, her efficient scoring, and her defensive prowess. Over her career, she has averaged 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game—numbers that underscore why she is among the elite players in the league. Despite these accolades, the financial ceiling in the WNBA has been a recurring hurdle: the league’s maximum player salary in 2024 stood at $200,000, and many stars earned less due to the team‑based salary cap system.
The B League: A New Vision for Women’s Basketball
The B League’s official website (b‑league.com) outlines a bold mission: “to elevate women’s basketball to new heights by offering higher salaries, a global fan base, and a year‑long competitive calendar.” Unlike the WNBA’s traditional 34‑game regular season, the B League plans to run a 48‑game schedule spread over two calendar years, allowing for greater revenue streams and player development.
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the B League is its global competition model. The league will feature teams from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, each vying for a spot in an end‑of‑season “World Championship.” The B League’s partnership with the NBA and the WNBA for broadcasting rights aims to tap into the expansive NBA viewership, while also leveraging international sponsorships from companies such as Adidas, Visa, and local telecom firms in host countries.
According to a statement from B League CEO Maria Hernandez, “We are not just creating another professional league; we are building a global ecosystem that empowers female athletes, expands opportunities for emerging markets, and elevates the sport to a worldwide stage.”
Why Alyssa Thomas Chose the B League
In a candid interview with the B League’s launch podcast, Thomas explained her motivation: “Playing in the WNBA has been an incredible experience, but I’ve always wanted to see my game reach a larger audience. The B League’s structure offers the salary competitiveness and the global exposure that I’ve been dreaming about.” Thomas cited the league’s $250,000 average salary offer—significantly above the WNBA’s ceiling—as a key factor in her decision.
Thomas also highlighted the B League’s commitment to community engagement and development programs. “I’m excited to be part of a league that invests in grassroots initiatives, from building training academies in underserved areas to hosting clinics in cities that lack professional women’s teams,” she said.
Implications for the WNBA and Beyond
Thomas’s move is a litmus test for the WNBA’s ability to retain its top talent. With the B League’s emergence, the WNBA may face renewed pressure to increase player salaries, expand its roster of teams, and adopt more flexible season structures. Analysts predict that if the B League proves successful, it could act as a catalyst for renegotiating the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement and potentially lead to a new era of player empowerment.
Furthermore, the B League’s global footprint offers an alternative pathway for international players to showcase their skills on a platform that blends NBA‑style marketing with the excitement of a worldwide tournament. For the fans, this means more diverse matchups, access to international stars, and the chance to see the sport thrive in markets that have traditionally been underrepresented in professional basketball.
The Road Ahead
The B League is slated to begin its inaugural season in early 2025, with the first regular‑season game scheduled for February in Tokyo. Alyssa Thomas will represent the B League’s Los Angeles Sol—a team that will compete for a place in the league’s opening championship. Thomas’s arrival is expected to draw significant media attention and fan interest, particularly in the United States and Asia, where basketball remains a growing sport.
The B League also plans to launch a digital streaming platform in partnership with NBA TV, ensuring that fans worldwide can follow games in real time. The league’s “Player of the Week” and “All‑Global” awards will spotlight top performers across continents, mirroring the structure of the NBA’s global initiatives.
A New Chapter for Women’s Basketball
Alyssa Thomas’s decision to join the B League represents a watershed moment for women’s professional basketball. By stepping into a league that offers higher financial rewards, a global fan base, and a longer, more competitive schedule, Thomas is not just changing her own career trajectory—she is challenging the status quo of how women's sports are organized and marketed.
Whether the B League will sustain itself as a viable alternative to the WNBA remains to be seen. Yet the very existence of a credible, well‑financed competition that can attract elite talent like Thomas is a testament to the growing demand for high‑level women’s basketball worldwide. As the league prepares to launch, all eyes will be on the courts in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and beyond to see whether this new venture can fulfill its promise of elevating women’s basketball to new heights.
Read the Full Associated Press News Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/wnba-star-alyssa-thomas-joins-new-project-b-league-promising-higher-salaries-and-global-competition/ar-AA1QeUJU ]
