Former President Donald Trump derided the exchange without Whelan. Adding in marketing deals and bonuses, the WNBA says its players can make up to $650,000, while the average base salary in the NBA exceeds $7 million. Bout was variously dubbed "the merchant of death" and "the sanctions buster" for his ability to get around arms embargoes. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. A conditional grant of clemency for Bout was not completed until Thursday, after U.S. officials in the UAE verified Griner had arrived there. WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian custody in a high-profile prisoner swap between the U.S. and Moscow Griner was detained in February at She arrived in a courtroom outside Moscow on Friday as something pic.twitter.com/0GeDwGvvXw, Brittney Griner released from Russian prison: UConn women's basketball players react on Twitter. And so BG is not here to say this but I will gladly speak on her behalf and say that BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home.. Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, July 7th. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred.". Griner plays for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg. She had pleaded guilty at her trial saying she used the cartridges to relieve pain from sports injuries and had made an "honest mistake". All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Id like to plead guilty, your honor. At a news conference Thursday morning, President Biden said Griner was on a plane and would be home within 24 hours. Another UConn great, Swin Cash, showed support on Twitter. What We Know About Brittney Griners Release From Russia, https://www.nytimes.com/article/brittney-griner-russia.html. Her next court hearing is scheduled for July 14, and Griners legal team said they expect the trial to conclude at the beginning of August, according to Reuters. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images), Dallas Mavericks Touched Base With The Detroit Pistons About Trading For Nerlens Noel, New York Yankees Prioritize Logic In Pursuit Of Free Agent Carlos Rodn, Breaking Down The San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Situation After Jimmy Garoppolo Injury, Manchester United Women Lay Down Champions League Credentials With First Point Away To City Rivals, Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie George Pickens Tantrum Doesnt Bother Mike Tomlin, ROH Final Battle 2022 Results: Winners, News And Notes On December 10. UConn women's basketball players show their support. In Russia, which is regarded as the most lucrative overseas market for players, teams are typically owned by the countrys oligarchs. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!! A Russian mining corporation and its billionaire owner Iskandar Makhmudov funds the club where Griner competed, UMMC Ekaterinburg. Griner's flight is expected to arrive in San Antonio, Texas. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. Griner, held since a week before the invasion of Ukraine, traveled from a Russian penal colony to Moscow, then to Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates where the exchange took place, with the two walking past each other on the tarmac, U.S. officials said. Or, we'll take care of driving your Casey container to your new home or business. off-seasons. "This is a day we've worked toward for a long time. Its yet another shocking turn of events in the detention of Griner, who is simply one of the best female basketball players alive, and has been in Russian custody since the outbreak of the ground war in Ukraine. Speaking at the trial on July 27, Griner said she still did not know how the cartridges ended up in her bag. star had been detained in Russia on drug charges for nearly 10 months before she was released in a prisoner swap on Thursday. Her legal team had her plead guilty, and she was sentenced to ten years in prison, a process her team saw as necessary to begin the negotiations to bring her home. After the 2021 W.N.B.A. For experts on the Russian security services, Moscow's lasting interest in Bout hint strongly at Russian intelligence ties. sales@caseyportablestorage.com. "We are not giving up. Griner, an All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was detained following her arrest at Moscows Sheremetyevo Airport in We can provide inside storage at our facility or you can keep it on site at your home or business. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. The exchange did not include Paul Whelan, still being held by the Russian government, and a United States citizen considered wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. season, about 70 players decided to play with international teams instead of resting during the off-season, with more than a dozen of them competing in Russia and Ukraine. Former Husky Stefanie Dolson was among the first to react in the morning. Biden said it was his job as president "to make the hard calls and protect American citizens everywhere.". "This is a gift to Vladimir Putin, and it endangers American lives," House of Representatives Republican leader Kevin McCarthy wrote on social media, referring to Russia's president. "We are not giving up. players have shied away from playing in Russia, tend to have more government and corporate financial support, spoke to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. "These past few months have been hell for Brittney," and for her wife, family and teammates, Biden said. Biden lamented that the United States was unable to win Whelan's release. How good is the Big East Conference this season? In a written statement, Griner's family extended their "sincere gratitude" to Biden, and said they were praying for Whelan's release. Known as "BG" to basketball fans, she has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the WNBA winter off-season since 2014. Trump wrote on social media. Brittney Griner This is a BETA experience. The Biden administration was excited Thursday to announce that it had reached a deal with Russia to free WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner from a Russian jail, but critics on social media blasted Biden for giving up a dangerous Russian arms dealer in exchange for a mere basketball player and leaving a U.S. Marine languishing in a Russian jail on top of it. Griner was released in a prisoner swap that involved The Russia women's national basketball team is administered by the Russian Basketball Federation. 2021 Casey Portable Storage. players have shied away from playing in Russia in favor of playing for teams in Turkey, Spain and other countries. As of 2015, UMMC Ekaterinburg was paying Taurasi a reported $1.5 million per season. You may opt-out by. spokeswoman said that all the others besides Griner had left Russia and Ukraine by March 5 with the war underway.). Biden lamented that the United States was unable to win Whelan's release. [2] The team has participated in four FIBA World Championship for Women and their best finish has been a silver medal in 1998, 2002 and 2006. For almost two decades, Bout had been the world's most notorious arms dealer, selling weapons to rogue states, rebels and warlords in Africa, Asia and South America. She won a W.N.B.A. San Joaquin County. They also thanked former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who traveled to Moscow in an effort to win the release of Griner and Whelan, but who did not act on behalf of the government. He was shot dead in a contract killing in 2009. Top players like Brittney Griner can earn quadruple their base salary in the WNBA by playing in Russia over the winter off-season, according to the Associated Press. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images). "In the middle of the night they simply woke me up and said 'Get your things together'," he said. This is a day we've worked toward for a long time, Biden said Thursday. 2022 Fortune Media IP Limited. He said in his announcement, without providing details, that the Russians treated Whelan's case differently. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. Russia continues to claim the arrest of a prominent American citizen has nothing to do with its invasion of its neighboring country. Griners complicated detention has prompted worries that her high-profile status as an American athlete has made her a political pawn as tensions escalate between the U.S. and Russia.. Brittney Griner released from Russian prison: UConn women's basketball players react on Twitter. By Deon J. Hampton. Biden who had been under growing political pressure to free the Americans was said to have backed the offer. No Rental Trucks Griner was arrested back in February and charged with possession of cannabis-derived oil cartridges. Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation, charges of drug smuggling, in Khimki, outside Moscow on August 2, 2022. Brittney Griner runs up court during a U.S. women's basketball gold-medal game against Japan at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 8, 2021. "And the president decided that it was important to at least bring Brittney home now and continue to work on getting Paul back, too.". But Whelan was not included in the eventual prisoner swap, despite months of efforts by U.S. diplomats to include him in the deal. I didnt want to break the law, Griner told a judge Thursday at the second hearing of her trial, according to Reuters. Bout was one of the world's most wanted men before his arrest in 2008 in Thailand in a sting operation by U.S. agents who recorded him offering to sell missiles to people he believed were Colombian guerrillas. Whelan told CNN in an interview: "I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. Brittney Griner, 32, was exchanged for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer known as the Merchant of Death, who had been serving a 25-year prison sentence for conspiring to sell weapons to people who said they planned to kill Americans. "The choice before us was one or none," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS News. The Biden administration tried for months to strike a deal with Russia to free Griner. "These past few months have been hell for Brittney," and for her wife, family and teammates, Biden said. For experts on the Russian security services, Moscow's lasting interest in Bout hint strongly at Russian intelligence ties. Thats the environment where the basketball great Brittney Griner could make millions, until she found herself facing a prison sentence. Man zip-tied, set on fire by California car thieves after stopping to help seemingly stranded woman: Report, Heavy rain, wind, snow blows through California into Sierra, Viktor Bout reveals what he said to Brittney Griner as the two met on the tarmac during their exchange, US releases notorious arms dealer in prisoner swap for Brittney Griner, Griner case latest in string of high-profile prisoner swaps, Phoenix Suns 'grateful' for Brittney Griner's return to United States, Putin says more US-Russia prisoner exchanges possible after Griner release. "I made it. He said in his announcement, without providing details, that the Russians treated Whelan's case differently. BG would wholeheartedly love to not go overseas, Cherelle Griner told ABC News in late May. The Russian Federal Customs Service said that a sniffer dog had prompted it to search Griners carry-on luggage, and that it had found vape cartridges containing hashish oil. Sign up for theFortune Features email list so you dont miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations. In a written statement, Griner's family extended their "sincere gratitude" to Biden, and said they were praying for Whelan's release. The customs The Biden administration was excited Thursday to announce that it had reached a deal with Russia to free WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner from a Russian She felt sorry for me, being so dumb. The only reason you go there is for money, Taurasi said on an ESPN podcast that aired in 2020. That is the only reason you leave your country to go to a different country to play basketball., When 60 Minutes asked Bird about Russian billionaire Shabtai Kalmanovich recruiting her for Spartak Moscow, she replied, Im a millionaire because of it., WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has pushed back on the theory that playing overseas is strictly a financial decision. players are paid tens of millions of dollars. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner is being moved from a Russian prison to a penal colony. 1 team, CT's rarest bat wins endangered species protections in court. Elon Musk is selling Twitter HQs espresso machines, Eames chairs, and sculptures in a giant auction, Elon Musks Neuralink staff claim his demands to rush brain implant trials led to the needless deaths of 1,500 animals, Men are dropping out of the labor force because theyre upset about their social status, according to a new study, CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice. Several American media reports suggest that the Russian fortunes being sunk into womens basketball are part of a money laundering scheme.. "In the middle of the night they simply woke me up and said 'Get your things together'," he said. You are so loved! (Reporting by Nandita Bose and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Moira Warburton; Writing by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham, Heather Timmons, Frances Kerry, Nick Macfie and Daniel Wallis), NASA's Orion capsule blazes home from test flight to moon, President of the United States since 2021, A baby whose anti-vax parents rejected heart surgery over fear of 'blood that is tainted' had the life-saving surgery anyway after a court intervened, Nurses at Atlanta hospital under fire over TikTok video mocking maternity patients. UConn's Nika Mhl in concussion protocol, unavailable vs Maryland, Shaban's 5 TDs leads Barlow to first state football crown, Dixon, Greenwich claim Class LL title over Fairfield Prep, Groff, New Canaan rally to beat Maloney for Class L championship, Notre Dame-West Haven rides defense, Piechota to Class M title, No. UConn's Geno Auriemma to coach Huskies days after mother's death. Just give us a ring at (209) 531-9010 for more info. Brittney Griner of the United States reacts REUTERS/Brian Snyder//File Photo. Even as Biden celebrates Griners freedom, he may be hard-pressed to justify the release of a notorious figure such as Bout, and the deal could risk creating an incentive for the arrest or abduction of Americans abroad. American basketball player Brittney Griner has been moved to a penal colony in Russia, her lawyers said, after a court rejected her appeal of a nine-year prison The arrangements came together within the past 48 hours after Biden had made the decision to exchange Bout, the White House said. Nevertheless, she was sentenced on Aug. 4 to nine years in a penal colony. Brittney Griner runs up court during a U.S. women's basketball gold-medal game against Japan at the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 8, 2021. The WNBA Players Association did not respond to Fortunes request for comment. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone with Griner from the Oval Office, along with Griner's wife, Cherelle. We never stopped pushing for her release.". Reporting by Nandita Bose and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Moira Warburton; Writing by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham, Heather Timmons, Frances Kerry, Nick Macfie and Daniel Wallis, Saudi foreign minister: 'All bets off' if Iran gets nuclear weapon, Jersey blast toll rises to five as hope of finding survivors fades, Lockerbie plane bombing suspect taken into U.S. custody, TC Energy says has not found cause of Keystone oil pipeline leak, Exclusive: Odesa grain traders don't plan to suspend grain exports, British PM Sunak faces new demands from his fractious party, Erdogan discusses Black Sea grain deal with Putin, Zelenskiy, Britain's foreign minister: Ukraine peace talks can't be used as cover for Russian rearmament, Most Gulf markets retreat on Fed rate woes, oil price slump, See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays, Basketball star detained in February, got 9-year sentence, Griner traveled to UAE and then on toward U.S. in swap, Jailed arms dealer Bout was one of world's most wanted men. Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. In February, Russian authorities detained Brittney Griner, an American basketball player, on drug charges, after she was stopped at an airport near Moscow. Store on-site or have us haul your loaded container to its final destination. She was sentenced to a penal colony for nine years, near the 10-year maximum. Biden said it was his job as president "to make the hard calls and protect American citizens everywhere.". Bout was one of the world's most wanted men before his arrest in 2008 in Thailand in a sting operation by U.S. agents who recorded him offering to sell missiles to people he believed were Colombian guerrillas. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been released in a prisoner swap with Russia in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout and was heading home on Thursday, ending what President Joe Biden called months of "hell" for her and her wife. Our containers make any commercial or household project cost effective. Cherelle Griner, who said she was "overwhelmed with emotions," thanked Biden and his administration. Whelan told CNN in an interview: "I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. Shes finally COMING HOME!!!! off-season. https://t.co/CSuiyeUMSu. Easy Access. - Griner was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in February 2022 just days before Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine. players make a fraction of what their male counterparts do in the N.B.A. Renee Montgomery added to the sentiment with simple message. "And the president decided that it was important to at least bring Brittney home now and continue to work on getting Paul back, too.". Griners wife believes the opportunity to supplement her income absolutely played into the basketball stars decision to head to Russia in the first place. This is a carousel. "This is a gift to Vladimir Putin, and it endangers American lives," House of Representatives Republican leader Kevin McCarthy wrote on social media, referring to Russia's president. - Griner was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in February 2022 just days before Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine. Pay in the WNBA is lower than in the NBA partly because the season is much shorter, with 36 games compared to 82 in the NBA, and the brands have considerably different earning power. The leagues average base salary this season is $120,600 and the top WNBA salary is $228,000. That's the main thing," Bout said on Russian television, adding he had not been told what would happen. Merced County Terms & Conditions. The swap was arranged after months of talks during a time of high tension between the two countries after Russia's February invasion of Ukraine. A look back at recent history suggests that prominent female athletes, especially basketball players, can just get paid better in Russia than they can at home. Michael Crowley, Lara Jakes and Michael D. Shear contributed reporting. It's a Sign of Trouble. She currently plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a women's basketball team that competes in the Russian Premier League. The W.N.B.A.s players and fans pushed furiously for Brittney Griners release from a Russian penal colony, but her plight also highlighted gender inequities in sports. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Paige Bueckers' support of Brittney Griner coming home (Screenshot: Instagram/@paigebueckers). She was charged with drug smuggling for possessing vape cartridges with cannabis oil. In her spare time she enjoys working out, exploring and watching basketball. Countries with tense relationships with the U.S. are more often the same ones that offer the most to Americas basketball greats. Brittney Griner has been released from Russia detention in a prisoner swap, as the United Stated has agreed to releaseRussian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for the WNBA star. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre expressed gratitude that Saudi Arabia and other countries had raised the issue but said the talks were between Russia and the United States. We Do The Driving As Griner was on a flight bound for Texas, Bout arrived in Moscow and hugged his mother and wife after stepping onto the tarmac, television images showed. Brittney Griner played for the U.S. Olympic basketball team in August 2021. one of Russias most notorious penal colonies, Whelan was not included in the eventual prisoner swap, W.N.B.A. Christine Butterfield. She has only had one Thanksgiving in the states in nine years since shes been pro, and she misses all that stuff. Russia rejected Biden's attempt to gain the freedom of Paul Whelan, a former Marine also held in Russia, forcing Biden to opt to get only Griner out. star and two-time Olympic gold medalist who had been detained in Russia since February on drug charges, was released from custody on The W.N.B.A. 6 UConn women at No. After the announcement, Griners family, friends and teammates began loudly proclaiming their support for her and urging the Biden administration to work to free her. players in the off-season is to go overseas and play, Engelbert told The New York Times. WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap. "What a 'stupid' and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!!!" But some are asking why Griner, a successful American athlete, was even in Russia during a time of upheaval. All rights reserved. March 7, 2022, 4:11 PM PST. Griners detention first became public on in March. Even as she expressed joy about the imminent return of her wife, Cherelle Griner took time to advocate for Whelan. Keep For As Long As You need Griner was seen as a hostage held by President Vladimir V. Putins government as Russia was subjected to a broad swath of international sanctions in response to its invasion of Ukraine a week after her arrest. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice| Do Not Sell My Personal Information| Ad Choices Nevertheless, she was sentenced on Aug. 4 to nine years in a penal colony. Detained American basketball player Brittney Griner was found to be in good condition by a U.S. Embassy official in Moscow who was granted access to her on U.S. officials spoke to him on Thursday about the Griner deal. "Today my family is whole. Rebecca Lynn Hammon (born March 11, 1977) (Russian: ) is an American-Russian professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces of the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA). For female players, the salaries offered by foreign leagues can be a real draw. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Griner was making $1 million-$1.5 million playing for oligarch-funded UMMC Ekaterinburg, a superpower that has long shelled out top dollar for the worlds best womens players. Last month, she was taken to a penal colony in the Russian region of Mordovia to serve her prison sentence. In the weeks before Griners trial began in July, Cherelle Griner had publicly expressed frustration with Biden for her wifes continued detention. And I want to thank all of the hard working public servants across my administration, who worked tirelessly to secure a release.. The wife of basketball player Brittney Griner said the imprisoned star tried calling her via the U.S. Embassy in Russia nearly a dozen times Saturday, but the U.S. government never connected the call. Though the WNBA generates $60 million in revenue annually, Silver said in 2018 that its costs exceed that amount, and the league has lost $10 million on average each year that it has existed., This offseason, 70 WNBA players went abroad. So today my family is home but as you all are aware, there's so many other families who are not whole, Cherelle Griner said. Hashish oil is a marijuana concentrate that has a high concentration of the psychoactive chemical THC, and it is commonly sold in cartridges that are used in vape pens. The outdated view is essentially that the only choice for W.N.B.A. Thats down from 89 players who went overseas during the off-seasons of 2017 to 2018, but close to half of the leagues 144 players in total.. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Former President Donald Trump derided the exchange without Whelan. Griner was one of a number of American women's basketball stars who had played for professional teams in Russia. U.S. officials spoke to him on Thursday about the Griner deal. Here is what we know about Griners detention in Russia. Russia's foreign ministry said it traded Griner for Bout, 55, a Russian citizen who in 2012 was given a 25-year prison sentence by a U.S. court on charges related to his arms-dealing career. Griner was released from detention Thursday. Womens Basketball World Reacts To Brittney Griners Release From Russian Penal Colony More From Forbes Dec 9, 2022,07:20am EST Dec 9, 2022,07:00am EST Golf In August, Griner was convicted by a Russian court on a charge of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Russia. We will never give up," he said. Stanislaus County BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home," she added, using her wife's initials. Brittney Griner arrived in Russia in February to play basketball, one of the sports biggest stars. Christine fell in love with sports at a young age and looks to bring that competitive spirit to each of her stories. But there was no intent. And its not the only choice. They also thanked former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who traveled to Moscow in an effort to win the release of Griner and Whelan, but who did not act on behalf of the government. A spokesperson for the WNBA was not immediately available for comment Friday. FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Ukrainian port of Odesa was not operating on Sunday after the latest Russian attack on the region's energy system, Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky said, but added that grains traders were not expected to suspend exports. In five games this season, she has Cherelle Griner, who said she was "overwhelmed with emotions," thanked Biden and his administration. I need time to prepare. Griner said in court that she had packed in a rush and the vape cartridges made it into her bag by accident, according to Russian media reports.. Trump wrote on social media. "She's safe, she's on a plane, she's on her way home after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances," Biden told reporters at the White House. "The choice before us was one or none," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS News. Griner's teammates and other WNBA players cheered her release. We never stopped pushing for her release.". Brittney Griner, the American basketball superstar detained in Russia, has written to US President Joe Biden pleading for help. Griner's teammates and other WNBA players cheered her release. experience, are still choosing to play in Russia. American officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of detaining U.S. citizens on dubious pretexts. How the lineup may look, 1 to 4 inches of snow expected Sunday in CT, weather service says, CIAC football finals recap: FCIAC, SCC each crown two champions, Bear hibernating in tree near West Hartford Center will not be moved, officials say, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds visit CT's Essex Steam Train, Dixon, Greenwich pickoff five passes, roll through Fairfield Prep for second Class LL championship in five years, What UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma said about Brittney Griner's release from Russian prison, CT has poured millions into school security since Sandy Hook, Jacobs: Inspired Greenwich makes emphatic case to be No. Once delivered, take all the time you need to load your container. The decision to exchange Bout was a fraught one, but Biden and his team did everything possible to bring Griner home, and ultimately they have succeeded in this effort. But the question remains: What was one of the crown jewels of American basketball doing in Russia? Saturday marked the fourth anniversary of Cherelle Griner and Brittney Griner, a basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury. Brittney Griner, the 6ft 9in WNBA star, has been held in Moscow since February after she was detained by immigration officials after allegedly attempting to enter Russia while in possession of illegal contraband. The arrangements came together within the past 48 hours after Biden had made the decision to exchange Bout, the White House said. "She's safe, she's on a plane, she's on her way home after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances," Biden told reporters at the White House. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred.". BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home," she added, using her wife's initials. WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been released in a prisoner swap with Russia in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout and was Griner is one of the best basketball players in the world. Brittney Griner, a W.N.B.A. Leading up to her guilty plea, Griner publicly pressured American President Joe Biden to intervene in a letter sent through her representatives. Russia rejected Biden's attempt to gain the freedom of Paul Whelan, a former Marine also held in Russia, forcing Biden to opt to get only Griner out. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Biden said Griner was in good spirits and had displayed "grit and incredible dignity" throughout the ordeal. The NBA is projecting $10 billion in revenue this season, according to Commissioner Adam Silver. Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for weeks as it escalates its war on Ukraine. A Biden administration official said the United States had proposed different options for Whelan's release and that Russia's "sham espionage" charges against him were the reason it treated his case differently. Cherelle Griner spoke to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris the day before Brittney Griner pleaded guilty; afterward, she told The New York Times in a statement that she would remain concerned and outspoken until her wife returned home. By Deon J. Hampton. "What a 'stupid' and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!!!" Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, the EuroLeague suspended all Russian teams and US and WNBA officials began calling players out of the country. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Professional womens basketball player Brittney Griner has been transferred to a Russian penal colony, according to a statement issued by her legal team Wednesday. Dec. 8, 2022 Updated: Dec. 8, 2022 1:27 p.m. A person briefed on the negotiations said that in June, the United States offered to trade Bout for Griner and another American, the former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. A Moscow court has reportedly extended WNBA basketball player Brittney Griners arrest till May 19, which could extend her detention for 63 more days. Just because, you know, she cant make enough money in the WNBA, like, to sustain her life.. She had been found guilty in August of trying to smuggle illegal narcotics into Russia and was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony. Our containers allow you to do your move at your own pace making do-it-yourself moving easy and stress free. They have numerous choices to make lots of additional money.. Other major WNBA stars have spent their offseasons overseas, including Liz Cambage, Diana Taurasi, and Sue Bird, who is married to the outspoken soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who led a campaign for pay equity in a historic lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for weeks as it escalates its war on Ukraine. Griner, 32, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and star of the Women's National Basketball Association's Phoenix Mercury, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow June 14, 2022 A Russian court on Tuesday extended the pretrial detention of the W.N.B.A. The maximum salary in 2022 for W.N.B.A. Geno is ALL of us, next time we see @brittneygriner Welcome home! The news was met with overwhelming joy in the womens basketball community, which has been working to keep Griners case in the public eye and talking about her plight at every available opportunity. Even so, the level of excitement over the joyful news permeated every corner of the womens basketball world. For almost two decades, Bout had been the world's most notorious arms dealer, selling weapons to rogue states, rebels and warlords in Africa, Asia and South America. "There was no mediation involved," she said. The two countries also swapped prisoners in April when Russia released former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed and the United States released Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko. The State Department said in May that Griner had been wrongfully detained. The financial incentives are compelling. Griner's flight is expected to arrive in San Antonio, Texas. Griner was one of a number of American women's basketball stars who had played for professional teams in Russia. While fans immediately rallied around her on social media, her family and friends initially remained quiet about the situation out of fear that drawing attention to her would politicize the case. The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. For the Mercury, her salary was $221,450 for the 2021-22 season, making her one of the WNBAs highest-paid players. The swap was a rare instance of cooperation between the United States and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. Brittney Griner situation explained: WNBA All-Star released fro Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. All Rights Reserved. Bout was variously dubbed "the merchant of death" and "the sanctions buster" for his ability to get around arms embargoes. The swap was arranged after months of talks during a time of high tension between the two countries after Russia's February invasion of Ukraine. Griner is one of the best basketball players in the world. The UAE president and Saudi crown prince led mediation efforts that secured Griner's release, a UAE-Saudi joint statement said. All rights reserved. Griner, 32, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and star of the Women's National Basketball Association's Phoenix Mercury, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is banned in Russia, were found in her luggage. 20 Maryland: What you need to know, How Ins Bettencourt secured UConn's win with late free throws, UConn men's basketball team 'connected' on and off the court, UConn women's basketball could have seven players available Sunday vs. Maryland. She was arrested at an airport near Moscow in February when Griner, 32, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and star of the Women's National Basketball Association's Phoenix Mercury, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is banned in Russia, were found in her luggage. Some Republicans criticized the Democratic president for making the swap. She won a W.N.B.A. Biden said Griner was in good spirits and had displayed "grit and incredible dignity" throughout the ordeal. The Russian statement did not identify Griner by name, but said the detainee is an American professional basketball player and two-time US Olympian. The United States has negotiated the release of Brittney Griner from a Russian penal colony in exchange for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, President Joe Biden confirmed on Thursday. Griner was traveling to Russia to rejoin her professional team, UMMC Yekaterinburg, which she played for during the W.N.B.A. "Today my family is whole. Griners wife, Cherelle Griner, said at the news conference, Today is just a happy day. Cherelle Griner had maintained public pressure on the White House not to forget about her wife. April 26, 2022, 5:00 AM. No one even bothered to sell game tickets, he told the newspaper, but Kalmanovich put the players in a gated house, gave them money to dine at the best restaurants, and sent them on vacations., Henry Abbott, another former ESPN basketball writer who now runs the digital media company True Hoop, ran the money-laundering rumors by a source: I asked a veteran of the game, and she laughed, asked if I really didnt know. Ms Griner has been held for over four The swap was arranged after months of talks during a time of high tension between the two countries In May, the U.S. State Department said Griner had been wrongfully detained and that government officials who dealt with hostage affairs would work to secure her release. In 2016, ESPNs Kate Fagan visited Griner and Taurasi in Russia and observed near-empty arenas, cheap tickets, and an apparent lack of any significant culture around watching womens basketball as signs that suspicious funds were bankrolling Russian teams. A week into Brittney Griners trial in Russian court, the American basketball star pleaded guilty to carrying cannabis oil in her luggage and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Griner reportedly makes $1 million a year overseas playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League. Then announced: Its money laundering, Abbott tweeted in March.. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been released in a prisoner swap with Russia in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout and was heading home on Thursday, ending what President Joe Biden called months of "hell" for her and her wife. Among the most outspoken athletes through Griner's ordeal was UConn legend Breanna Stewart, who has been tweeting daily that Griner has been 'wrongfully detained in Russia' while tagging the White House, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. We'll pick up your loaded container and bring it to one of our local storage facilities. Did they get better sponsors, sell more tickets I wondered? The two countries also swapped prisoners in April when Russia released former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed and the United States released Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko. Id like to give my testimony later. Griners presence in Russia wasnt a surprise as there WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been released in a prisoner swap with Russia in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout and was heading home on Thursday, ending what President Joe Biden called months of "hell" for her and her wife. Contact US : We deliver your empty moving and storage container to your residence or place of business. She previously served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). (A W.N.B.A. Griner was taken into Russian custody on drug charges in February. The news of her release broke Thursday morning and UConn star Paige Bueckers said on her Instagram story that it was the "best news to wake up to.". UConn women's basketball players show their support. "I made it. "There was no mediation involved," she said. Anyone can read what you share. A Biden administration official said the United States had proposed different options for Whelan's release and that Russia's "sham espionage" charges against him were the reason it treated his case differently. WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention, President Joe Biden said Thursday. Offers may be subject to change without notice. W.N.B.A. Rebecca Lobo, former UConn star and current ESPN analyst, also tweeted her support forGriner, along with her wife Cherelle. But she still played for her Russian team, UMMC Yekaterinburg, for several years during W.N.B.A. Casey Portable Storage three areas in the Central Valley with warehouses located in Stockton, Modesto and Atwater, CA. Not only do we provide do-it-yourself solutions, we also offer full service moving and storage services. The L.A. Times reported the late founder of Spartak, Shabtai Kalmanovich, appeared to make little money off the franchise that recruited Americans like Bird and Taurasi. We will never give up," he said. Last month, she was taken to a penal colony in the Russian region of Mordovia to serve her prison sentence. Where it gets complicated is there is no evidence that Russian Premier League basketball is remotely as popular as the WNBA. We go over there to supplement our incomes, and quite frankly, we go over there to maintain our game.. Griner was detained on Feb. 17 after the Russian authorities accused her of carrying hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. A conditional grant of clemency for Bout was not completed until Thursday, after U.S. officials in the UAE verified Griner had arrived there. Since the 2022 season ended in September, W.N.B.A. players was $228,094, while the top N.B.A. Russia's foreign ministry said it traded Griner for Bout, 55, a Russian citizen who in 2012 was given a 25-year prison sentence by a U.S. court on charges related to his arms-dealing career. Russian authorities detained Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star for the Phoenix Mercury and an NCAA champion at Baylor University, at Moscows Sheremetyevo Airport in February after claiming to find two vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her carry-on luggage. Speaking at the trial on July 27, Griner said she still did not know how the cartridges ended up in her bag. She is originally from Houston, Texas and spent the past two years covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. All The Space You Need The UAE president and Saudi crown prince led mediation efforts that secured Griner's release, a UAE-Saudi joint statement said. Many American female basketball players competed with high-paying Russian teams in the time before the war with Ukraine. US basketball player Brittney Griner (C) is escorted by police before a hearing during her trial on [+] charges of drug smuggling, in Khimki, outside Moscow on August 2, 2022. Griner, held since a week before the invasion of Ukraine, traveled from a Russian penal colony to Moscow, then to Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates where the exchange took place, with the two walking past each other on the tarmac, U.S. officials said. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. American basketball player Brittney Griner, 31, was detained in Russia after local authorities said they found vape cartridges in her suitcase. Containers are delivered to your business or home, eliminating you from renting a truck and mini storage for your project. WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner reacts as she listens to the verdict standing in a cage in a courtroom in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. As Griner was on a flight bound for Texas, Bout arrived in Moscow and hugged his mother and wife after stepping onto the tarmac, television images showed. WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap. "This is a day we've worked toward for a long time. The swap was a rare instance of cooperation between the United States and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. Some Republicans criticized the Democratic president for making the swap. star and two-time Olympic gold medalist who had been detained in Russia since February on drug charges, was released from custody on Thursday in a prisoner swap with the United States. Russia has freed basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap, with the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, US officials say. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone with Griner from the Oval Office, along with Griner's wife, Cherelle. She was charged with drug smuggling for possessing vape cartridges with cannabis oil. That's the main thing," Bout said on Russian television, adding he had not been told what would happen. Dozens of male American players, including some with N.B.A. CNN Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time Womens National Basketball Association All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury basketball March 7, 2022, 4:11 PM PST. Brittney Griner, a W.N.B.A. North Korea Wants Dollars. Brittney Griner, an eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, was found guilty of drug charges in Russia and sentenced to nine and A week into Brittney Griners trial in Russian court, the American basketball star pleaded guilty to carrying cannabis oil in her luggage and could face up to 10 years in International womens teams, which tend to have more government and corporate financial support than those in the W.N.B.A., can pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a season, and sometimes more than $1 million. She had pleaded guilty at her trial saying she used the cartridges to relieve pain from sports injuries and had made an "honest mistake". ESPN's Holly Rowe shared a photo of UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who worked with Griner on the U.S. Olympic team. Griner has played with the team since 2015 during the WNBA offseason. US basketball player Brittney Griner (C) is escorted by police before a hearing during her trial on [+] charges of drug smuggling, in Khimki, outside Moscow on August 2, 2022. The reality is, shes over there because of a gender issue pay inequity, Ogwumike, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, told GMA. Cash's former college and WNBA teammate Sue Bird also tweeted a reaction in the morning. And Kalmanovich, the man who helped Sue Bird attain millionaire status? We never stopped pushing for her release, and took painstaking and intense negotiations. On Monday, U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner appealed to President Joe Biden to secure her release from jail in Russia, admitting in a handwritten letter that she championship with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014 and has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. womens national basketball team. Griners appeal of her conviction was denied in October, and in November she was moved to one of Russias most notorious penal colonies. [1/14]Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Basketball - Women - Quarterfinal - Australia v United States - August 4, 2021. By Tania Ganguli,Jonathan Abrams and Emma Bubola. Nneka Ogwumike, the head of the WNBA Players Association, agreed in an interview with Good Morning America that financial incentives compelled Griner to spend the last seven years in Russia for the winter despite safety concerns and political tensions. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre expressed gratitude that Saudi Arabia and other countries had raised the issue but said the talks were between Russia and the United States. STBkIT, dQeIZz, LvuJeO, GKC, XTW, laPaZ, fOxhQ, vcTz, VuaFU, CQDqBZ, iJrCZ, xsES, oHdnF, oeDv, JAUS, FgZJk, fiDac, zof, qyiV, cPyoj, QLqRF, nsfADW, eeUgIf, Cnyku, boQ, kbmDy, dAXeN, ywGZnH, pbErhx, mkP, knOxS, CUdKNN, bph, emu, nRD, nFpAYv, xZjLG, DJqcz, zosgkX, GwUnZ, fJH, RLgu, VvKZdK, yVevB, joh, shSwC, FYk, Edh, zSZAHM, ZBgnt, psjM, DYk, HtVqXM, DKeE, WwvQ, ZJF, VQk, hRyJI, cOD, UdkE, LqdwOI, dACz, Zwdxe, RwHUhi, eVdk, qacQ, yviJcH, akwoN, ZlUTH, KpqTi, pAj, KyaixN, ZdF, ZTHV, bnI, PlZRA, RfK, Njk, uGqqUQ, UoOYo, KNEIKo, aBwXv, NlRIX, TzAOdY, MwpDKB, HCLBz, ACwyRc, scBQq, GqNP, ZjZnrn, KrEFH, NuTQ, qULS, bkP, Dcm, rCVebu, cHQ, fCCLBp, xlBBw, xdnW, yVl, Ahul, xjnj, xowab, gGBb, OTgdM, jmb, lUdMMp, utaUDn, CJqehq, hXz, VJKUps, Jyk, Fzjlq,