Key takeaways:
- Brittney Griner announced she will no longer play basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason
- WNBA players play overseas due to the disparity in pay between their league and the WNBA
- Griner’s experience has made her more aware of the inequalities that exist in the world and the importance of standing up for what is right
WNBA star Brittney Griner announced Thursday that she will no longer play basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason, following her nearly 10-month detainment in Russia on drug-related charges. Speaking to reporters for the first time since her return to the U.S., Griner said she will only play overseas if it is for the Olympics.
Griner noted that the reason she and other WNBA players even play in other countries during the offseason is the disparity in pay between their league and the WNBA. “I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner said Thursday from the lobby of the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
Griner’s first news conference drew more than 100 people, including Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, members of the Mercury organization and her wife, Cherelle. “It’s a shame that we have to leave our families for holidays,” she said. “I mean, you’re missing everything, being away from your family.”
Griner got emotional quickly. “I just relied on my hard work to get through it,” she said. She also noted that her experience has made her more aware of the inequalities that exist in the world and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Griner’s announcement is a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and the need for equality in the world. Her story is an inspiration to many and a reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
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