In the USA, support is growing for Brittney
By Thea Trlestad
On February 17, 2022 the basketball world took a big hit. Literally. Standing at 6’9”, WNBA star Brittney Griner, playfully known as BG, was detained in Russia after Russian Customs officials found a vape device and CBD cartridges in her luggage. When the news broke, players and coaches of the WNBA and NBA alike came out with statements and videos advocating for her immediate return. Even now, 4 months later, players are still speaking out for the return of Griner.
During the NBA Finals, players have worn t-shirts reading “We are BG” and even the NBA commissioner spoke out saying that Griner was wrongfully detained, and that the NBA would be working with the US government to bring her home.
Griner was traveling back home to the US from Russia after playing a season abroad—as do many of her fellow WNBA players—when she was detained by Russian Customs officers. At first, no reason was released to the public as to why she was detained, but after a couple of weeks, Russian officials released a statement saying that Griner was detained after drugs were found in her bags. In the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, news of Griner’s detainment took a backseat. While the US government did release a statement expressing their distress and will to fight to get her back swiftly and safely, it was clear that Griner’s return was not a priority. The WNBA immediately took action by raising awareness for their friend and fellow player to try and get as much public attention for her case as possible. Her coaches and teammates on the Phoenix Mercury each released statements talking about their personal and professional respect and love for Griner.
Brittney Griner is a two-time gold medalist with the US women’s olympic basketball team, two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, six-time WNBA all-star, and was a member of the Phoenix Mercury when they won the WNBA championship in 2014, and in their championship series against the Chicago Sky in 2021. Griner is widely regarded as one of the best players currently in the league and of her generation. She averaged 20.5 points per game, 1.9 blocks, and a career-best 9.5 rebounds per game in 2021 and along with veteran star Diana Taurasi, Griner took the Mercury to the WNBA finals in 2021. From her rookie year to 2021, Griner has developed into one of the greatest centers in the WNBA.
Griner is not the only WNBA player who plays in other countries after the WNBA season. About half of all WNBA players play in Europe or Asia in order to make a living year round. For most players, even stars like Griner, WNBA contracts don’t provide enough cash income to live on year-round, forcing them to look elsewhere for money. European and Asian teams often pay much more than WNBA teams do, which provides a tempting opportunity for many players. Griner’s detainment brings light to issues that WNBA players have been facing for decades. The pay disparity between men and women pro-sports players is especially noticeable within the WNBA. Even a player as successful and popular as Griner isn’t making enough money to survive year-round.
As of June, 2022 Griner is still detained, and we still have very little information about her condition or chances of being released. The Phoenix Mercury released a statement saying they were meeting with the US State Department to discuss actions towards getting her released but no more information is known.