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Brittney Griner’s U.S. basketball teammates spoke out in Russia on Wednesday about their incarceration while the players were at a training camp just before the start of the 2022 WNBA season.
Angel McCoughtry and Breanna Stewart both spoke about the situation. McCoughtry signed with the Minnesota Lynx in the offseason and Stewart is gearing up for another run with the Seattle Storm.
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“People say she’s 6ft 9, she’s different. That’s really not the point,” McCoughtry said. “It could have been any of us.”
Brittney Griner and Angel McCoughtry take photos for fans after the women’s basketball tournament USA vs. Spain August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Stewart pointed to the salary discrepancy as one reason why WNBA players might feel they have to play overseas during the offseason. A supermax salary in the WNBA could net a player just over $221,000 for the regular season, which runs from May through October.
Players have the option to stay in the US during the off-season and do other media work, but some prefer to go to other countries like Russia where they could earn around $1 million or more.
“The big thing is the fact that we have to go there. It was BG, but it could have been anyone,” Stewart said. “WNBA players need to be valued in their country, not play abroad.”
While the salaries are nice, the dangers are real.
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Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart watch a shot during the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game on July 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Stewart’s teammate Sue Bird played in Russia at times during her illustrious basketball career. She played for WBC Spartak in the Russian Premier League, a club sponsored by former KGB spy Shabtai Kalmanovich. He was murdered in 2009.
Bird recently told CBS News the money offered was life-changing.
“Absolutely. That’s why I’m a millionaire. And honestly, I think the more the league grows, the more coverage we get, maybe players don’t need to go abroad because they’re going to make enough money here.” I think that’s ultimately the goal,” Bird said, adding added that she sees higher salaries for WNBA players in the future.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for allegedly possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis-derived oils. The Phoenix Mercury star was arrested and has been held ever since, while initial reports of her arrest only surfaced earlier this month – days after Russia began invading Ukraine.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said last week that a US embassy official was able to see Griner recently and that she is “in good condition.” The Russian government allowed the US to give Griner consular access weeks after her arrest became known.
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WNBA players have largely remained silent about Griner’s release, which may be intentional given US government and WNBA officials are working behind the scenes.
“Everyone’s strategy is to say less and push more privately behind the scenes,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the New York Daily News March 18. “That’s the strategy you get from the State Department and the administration. It’s our #1 priority when talking to your agent and strategist.”
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner appears to defend as Chicago Sky center Candace Parker during the WNBA Basketball Finals October 10, 2021 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, file)
Separately, the WNBA said in a March 17 statement, “Working closely with U.S. government agencies, elected officials, individuals and organizations with expertise on these matters, and Brittney Griner’s representatives and family, we continue to work diligently to keep her safe.” to bring home to the United States. This continues to be a complex situation that is extremely difficult for Brittney, her family and anyone hoping for a quick resolution. Our top priority remains their safe return.”
Meadowlark Media’s Kate Fagan also provided context on March 5 as to why Griner’s arrest was not immediately publicized.
If convicted, Griner faces up to ten years in a Russian prison.
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According to Russian media, her detention has been extended until May 19. The WNBA season starts on March 6th.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.