Biden said it was his job as president "to make the hard calls and protect American citizens everywhere.". Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. 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.. Some Republicans criticized the Democratic president for making the swap. BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home," she added, using her wife's initials. players was $228,094, while the top N.B.A. 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. Even so, the level of excitement over the joyful news permeated every corner of the womens basketball world. Renee Montgomery added to the sentiment with simple message. A conditional grant of clemency for Bout was not completed until Thursday, after U.S. officials in the UAE verified Griner had arrived there. Keep For As Long As You need For experts on the Russian security services, Moscow's lasting interest in Bout hint strongly at Russian intelligence ties. 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. All rights reserved. Griner was released from detention Thursday. April 26, 2022, 5:00 AM. (A W.N.B.A. Trump wrote on social media. Easy Access. 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. 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. 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. 6 UConn women at No. The arrangements came together within the past 48 hours after Biden had made the decision to exchange Bout, the White House said. Jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner is being moved from a Russian prison to a penal colony. She was arrested at an airport near Moscow in February when She previously served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. "Today my family is whole. For female players, the salaries offered by foreign leagues can be a real draw. 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 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. Brittney Griner released from Russian prison: UConn women's basketball players react on Twitter. 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 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. 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. 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. WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap. Bout was variously dubbed "the merchant of death" and "the sanctions buster" for his ability to get around arms embargoes. She currently plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a women's basketball team that competes in the Russian Premier League. off-season. Brittney Griner, a W.N.B.A. Terms & Conditions. Paige Bueckers' support of Brittney Griner coming home (Screenshot: Instagram/@paigebueckers). For experts on the Russian security services, Moscow's lasting interest in Bout hint strongly at Russian intelligence ties. players make a fraction of what their male counterparts do in the N.B.A. Biden said it was his job as president "to make the hard calls and protect American citizens everywhere.". Griner is one of the best basketball players in the world. 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. 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. Last month, she was taken to a penal colony in the Russian region of Mordovia to serve her prison sentence. Geno is ALL of us, next time we see @brittneygriner Welcome home! Anyone can read what you share. 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 ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!! "The choice before us was one or none," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS News. And its not the only choice. Once delivered, take all the time you need to load your container. "This is a day we've worked toward for a long time. Former Husky Stefanie Dolson was among the first to react in the morning. Leading up to her guilty plea, Griner publicly pressured American President Joe Biden to intervene in a letter sent through her representatives. (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. Former President Donald Trump derided the exchange without Whelan. 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. 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. Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. Biden said Griner was in good spirits and had displayed "grit and incredible dignity" throughout the ordeal. 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. In the weeks before Griners trial began in July, Cherelle Griner had publicly expressed frustration with Biden for her wifes continued detention. A Moscow court has reportedly extended WNBA basketball player Brittney Griners arrest till May 19, which could extend her detention for 63 more days. She won a W.N.B.A. "In the middle of the night they simply woke me up and said 'Get your things together'," he said. You may opt-out by. 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.". 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. Christine fell in love with sports at a young age and looks to bring that competitive spirit to each of her stories. They have numerous choices to make lots of additional money.. The reality is, shes over there because of a gender issue pay inequity, Ogwumike, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, told GMA. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. 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. - Griner was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in February 2022 just days before Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine. 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. Former President Donald Trump derided the exchange without Whelan. https://t.co/CSuiyeUMSu. championship with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014 and has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. womens national basketball team. Ms Griner has been held for over four 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 Just give us a ring at (209) 531-9010 for more info. 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. 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. Brittney Griner, the American basketball superstar detained in Russia, has written to US President Joe Biden pleading for help. Where it gets complicated is there is no evidence that Russian Premier League basketball is remotely as popular as the WNBA. At a news conference Thursday morning, President Biden said Griner was on a plane and would be home within 24 hours. [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. All rights reserved. Brittney Griner, a 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. Even as she expressed joy about the imminent return of her wife, Cherelle Griner took time to advocate for Whelan. But some are asking why Griner, a successful American athlete, was even in Russia during a time of upheaval. For the Mercury, her salary was $221,450 for the 2021-22 season, making her one of the WNBAs highest-paid players. 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. Saturday marked the fourth anniversary of Cherelle Griner and Brittney Griner, a basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury. Did they get better sponsors, sell more tickets I wondered? 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. Griners wife believes the opportunity to supplement her income absolutely played into the basketball stars decision to head to Russia in the first place. BG would wholeheartedly love to not go overseas, Cherelle Griner told ABC News in late May. 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). She was charged with drug smuggling for possessing vape cartridges with cannabis oil. pic.twitter.com/0GeDwGvvXw, Brittney Griner released from Russian prison: UConn women's basketball players react on Twitter. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Russia has freed basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap, with the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, US officials say. experience, are still choosing to play in Russia. We will never give up," he said. 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 Brittney Griner of the United States reacts REUTERS/Brian Snyder//File Photo. Griners presence in Russia wasnt a surprise as there She felt sorry for me, being so dumb. "The choice before us was one or none," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS News. A Russian mining corporation and its billionaire owner Iskandar Makhmudov funds the club where Griner competed, UMMC Ekaterinburg. 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. How good is the Big East Conference this season? She had pleaded guilty at her trial saying she used the cartridges to relieve pain from sports injuries and had made an "honest mistake". W.N.B.A. 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. The arrangements came together within the past 48 hours after Biden had made the decision to exchange Bout, the White House said. The State Department said in May that Griner had been wrongfully detained. Griner plays for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg. Some Republicans criticized the Democratic president for making the swap. The W.N.B.A. "We are not giving up. U.S. officials spoke to him on Thursday about the Griner deal. Griner reportedly makes $1 million a year overseas playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League. Our containers make any commercial or household project cost effective. Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for weeks as it escalates its war on Ukraine. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred.". 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. Nevertheless, she was sentenced on Aug. 4 to nine years in a penal colony. Shes finally COMING HOME!!!! 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 And I want to thank all of the hard working public servants across my administration, who worked tirelessly to secure a 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. UConn women's basketball players show their support. But the question remains: What was one of the crown jewels of American basketball doing in Russia? All Rights Reserved. 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. San Joaquin County. We never stopped pushing for her release, and took painstaking and intense negotiations. 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. We will never give up," he said. The maximum salary in 2022 for W.N.B.A. Speaking at the trial on July 27, Griner said she still did not know how the cartridges ended up in her bag. Cherelle Griner, who said she was "overwhelmed with emotions," thanked Biden and his administration. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. 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. "What a 'stupid' and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!!!" Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. "We are not giving up. 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. players have shied away from playing in Russia in favor of playing for teams in Turkey, Spain and other countries. 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. Several American media reports suggest that the Russian fortunes being sunk into womens basketball are part of a money laundering scheme.. 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. 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. 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 I was arrested for a crime that never occurred.". What We Know About Brittney Griners Release From Russia, https://www.nytimes.com/article/brittney-griner-russia.html. That's the main thing," Bout said on Russian television, adding he had not been told what would happen. 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. And Kalmanovich, the man who helped Sue Bird attain millionaire status? By Deon J. Hampton. He said in his announcement, without providing details, that the Russians treated Whelan's case differently. 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. 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. Biden who had been under growing political pressure to free the Americans was said to have backed the offer. Many American female basketball players competed with high-paying Russian teams in the time before the war with Ukraine. Thats the environment where the basketball great Brittney Griner could make millions, until she found herself facing a prison sentence. 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. Michael Crowley, Lara Jakes and Michael D. Shear contributed reporting. A conditional grant of clemency for Bout was not completed until Thursday, after U.S. officials in the UAE verified Griner had arrived there. star and two-time Olympic gold medalist who had been detained in Russia since February on drug charges, was released from custody on The WNBA Players Association did not respond to Fortunes request for comment. Id like to plead guilty, your honor. Griner was traveling to Russia to rejoin her professional team, UMMC Yekaterinburg, which she played for during the W.N.B.A. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. A spokesperson for the WNBA was not immediately available for comment Friday. Then announced: Its money laundering, Abbott tweeted in March.. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. In a written statement, Griner's family extended their "sincere gratitude" to Biden, and said they were praying for Whelan's release. 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. We go over there to supplement our incomes, and quite frankly, we go over there to maintain our game.. 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. She was charged with drug smuggling for possessing vape cartridges with cannabis oil. March 7, 2022, 4:11 PM PST. 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 "Today my family is whole. Trump wrote on social media. "There was no mediation involved," she said. This is a carousel. 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.. 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