Tokyo is the first city that the organization has officially announced. Their tournament will be one of seven stops on the Project B Global Circuit seasonal format that begins in November and ends in April. Each city will host a 10-day event that will crown a local champion and fuel a season-long championship race.
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There will be matches from the men’s and women’s tournament in Tokyo to be played at the Toyota Arena, from March 26 to April 4.
“It is an honor for us to bring Project B to Tokyo together with our partners in Japan,” said Keisuke Mitsui, director of Project B Japan. “Tokyo sits at the intersection of global culture, innovation and basketball, with a fan base that truly understands and loves the game. Japan has shown what is possible when you invest in players and fans, and Toyota Arena will be an iconic stage for our athletes and a destination for basketball fans around the world.”
Both tournaments will feature 66 players divided into six teams. The league has already announced 10 players led by Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Mitchell.
Japanese star Mai Yamamoto will also compete in the league announced Thursday.
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“It is a true honor to be part of Project B and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity,” Yamamoto said. “I want to use this global stage to show the world ‘Japanese dynamism’ – our unique speed and passion. Carrying the Pride of Japan in my heart, I am excited to welcome the world’s elite to my home country.”
The men’s players will be announced later this year.
According to the organization, the players will receive salaries higher than those currently offered by the WNBA. They are also expected to be higher than Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league that started last year and features many of the WNBA’s top players.
While financial details have not been disclosed, the potential for more lucrative compensation comes at an important time for women’s professional basketball. As interest in the sport has skyrocketed in recent years, the WNBA and the players’ union are locked in tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, with much of the dispute centering on salary and revenue sharing.
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