Brittney Griner’s wife thanks supporters after WNBA star detained in Russia
Kate Feldman, New York Daily News
The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner is dealing with “one of the weakest moments of my life” as the Phoenix Mercury player remains detained in Russia after hashish oil was allegedly found in her luggage at a Moscow airport.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated,” Cherelle Griner wrote on Instagram Saturday night, hours after news of Griner’s detention broke.
“I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.”
Both the WNBA Players Association and Griner’s agent confirmed Saturday that she was the woman shown in a video released by the Russian Federal Customs Service of a traveler going through security at the Sheremetyevo airport, just outside of Moscow.
“Our utmost concern is BG’s safety and well-being,” the WNBAPA said in a statement. “On behalf of The 144, we send our love and support. We will continue to closely monitor and look forward to her return to the U.S.”
Her team, the Phoenix Mercury, said it was in “constant contact” with her family, representation, the WNBA and NBA.
“We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home,” the team said.
Griner, a 31-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist, was playing with Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg and last took the court on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments. It’s unclear how long she has been detained.
Griner, a Houston native, has played in Russia for the last seven offseasons.
Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro said he was “closely monitoring” the situation, and Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee called for her immediate release Saturday.
“Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia … and I will be demanding her release,” Lee said at a news conference.
The U.S. State Department issued a no travel advisory Saturday in Russia “due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.”
Any Americans still in Russia were urged to leave immediately.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken avoided mentioning Griner during an unrelated news conference Sunday, citing “privacy considerations.”
“Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia,” he said.
Report: Kings coach Luke Walton on the hot seat; could be fired if losing streak continues
WNBA ratings continue to rise, and they were particularly good before the NFL season began. Then the Minnesota Lynx played their only home playoff game opposite a Vikings-Seahawks game at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the deciding game of the Sky-Mercury finals went up against an NFL Sunday.
Stop it. Even baseball, once America's most popular sport, can't compete with the NFL.
The WNBA should seize the summer, when it would be in competition with only baseball, which, during the regular season, is a regional sport. If the WNBA insists on playing in the fall — a mistake — then at least schedule games other times than Sunday afternoon.
As a general sports columnist, I desperately search for topics during the summer and am overloaded with options in the fall. When the Lynx play during the summer, I love covering a meaningful basketball game instead of just another baseball game.
WNBA ratings continue to rise, and they were particularly good before the NFL season began. Then the Minnesota Lynx played their only home playoff game opposite a Vikings-Seahawks game at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the deciding game of the Sky-Mercury finals went up against an NFL Sunday.
Stop it. Even baseball, once America's most popular sport, can't compete with the NFL.
The WNBA should seize the summer, when it would be in competition with only baseball, which, during the regular season, is a regional sport. If the WNBA insists on playing in the fall — a mistake — then at least schedule games other times than Sunday afternoon.
As a general sports columnist, I desperately search for topics during the summer and am overloaded with options in the fall. When the Lynx play during the summer, I love covering a meaningful basketball game instead of just another baseball game.
Report: Kings coach Luke Walton on the hot seat; could be fired if losing streak continues
Stacy Bengs
Last year the Lynx had to "cut'' Layshia Clarendon or Rachel Banham to stay in compliance with roster and payroll limitations.
On a related note, new Lynx/Timberwolves owner Mark Lore texted Lynx GM and coach Cheryl Reeve to ask why WNBA player salaries were so low.
Lore became a billionaire by investing heavily in ideas he loved. NBA owners who also own WNBA franchises should see the growth and positive trends surrounding the WNBA and pay the players, expand the rosters, expand the league and, later, reap the rewards, just like the investment-first owners in every major men's sport has done over the last century.
Stacy Bengs
Last year the Lynx had to "cut'' Layshia Clarendon or Rachel Banham to stay in compliance with roster and payroll limitations.
On a related note, new Lynx/Timberwolves owner Mark Lore texted Lynx GM and coach Cheryl Reeve to ask why WNBA player salaries were so low.
Lore became a billionaire by investing heavily in ideas he loved. NBA owners who also own WNBA franchises should see the growth and positive trends surrounding the WNBA and pay the players, expand the rosters, expand the league and, later, reap the rewards, just like the investment-first owners in every major men's sport has done over the last century.
Report: Kings coach Luke Walton on the hot seat; could be fired if losing streak continues
Paul Beaty
The Chicago Sky brought to their victory party the door that Mercury star Diana Taurasi broke during the finals. Brilliant.
The WNBA already has brilliant players, brilliant basketball and brilliant competition to sell. What has made the NFL an overwhelming success is the way people react to it. They bet, play fantasy football, overreact, follow social media for interpersonal dramas and memes and insults.
Play it up. Have some fun. Engage fan emotions.
Paul Beaty
The Chicago Sky brought to their victory party the door that Mercury star Diana Taurasi broke during the finals. Brilliant.
The WNBA already has brilliant players, brilliant basketball and brilliant competition to sell. What has made the NFL an overwhelming success is the way people react to it. They bet, play fantasy football, overreact, follow social media for interpersonal dramas and memes and insults.
Report: Kings coach Luke Walton on the hot seat; could be fired if losing streak continues
Paul Beaty
Yes, so much of this comes down to money. The WNBA needs to pay its players enough that they don't need or want to play overseas. Napheesa Collier didn't make it back for the beginning of the 2021 season and Kayla McBride missed training camp. If the Lynx had gotten off to a faster start, they may have earned a second bye, and Clarendon, a key to their success, might have been healthier.
Paul Beaty
Yes, so much of this comes down to money. The WNBA needs to pay its players enough that they don't need or want to play overseas. Napheesa Collier didn't make it back for the beginning of the 2021 season and Kayla McBride missed training camp. If the Lynx had gotten off to a faster start, they may have earned a second bye, and Clarendon, a key to their success, might have been healthier.
Report: Kings coach Luke Walton on the hot seat; could be fired if losing streak continues
Kathy Willens
All WNBA games should be available on readily-accessible broadcast channels. Facebook doesn't deserve this league, and watching games on Twitter is annoying, and forcing fans to buy an extra subscription is a bad idea.
You can gouge people after you've captured a satisfactory market share. Not now.
Kathy Willens
All WNBA games should be available on readily-accessible broadcast channels. Facebook doesn't deserve this league, and watching games on Twitter is annoying, and forcing fans to buy an extra subscription is a bad idea.
You can gouge people after you've captured a satisfactory market share. Not now.
Report: Kings coach Luke Walton on the hot seat; could be fired if losing streak continues
Star Tribune
The WNBA punches well above its weight when it comes to social issues and social justice. It is America's most admirable league.
Keep it up. The people alienated by your stances were never going to attend a WNBA game, anyway. There are millions of good people out there who will gravitate toward women's basketball as the league grows in popularity and scope.
And as Maya Moore has demonstrated, there are things in life more important than basketball. Keep using basketball as a means to make the world a better place. It will pay off.
It already has.
Star Tribune
The WNBA punches well above its weight when it comes to social issues and social justice. It is America's most admirable league.
Keep it up. The people alienated by your stances were never going to attend a WNBA game, anyway. There are millions of good people out there who will gravitate toward women's basketball as the league grows in popularity and scope.
And as Maya Moore has demonstrated, there are things in life more important than basketball. Keep using basketball as a means to make the world a better place. It will pay off.
Brittney Griner’s wife thanks supporters after WNBA star detained in Russia
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS
The United States' Brittney Griner (15) shoots over Japan's Maki Takada (8) during the first half at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Women's Basketball Final at Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS
The United States' Brittney Griner (15) shoots over Japan's Maki Takada (8) during the first half at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Women's Basketball Final at Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
