On Thursday, Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony for smuggling drugs with criminal intent, and fined 1 million rubles, which is about $16,500. Following the ruling, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a joint statement expressing their disappointment in the decision.
“Today’s verdict and sentencing is unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected and Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained,” the statement read. “The WNBA and NBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered and it is our hope that we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States.”
The Mercury star was arrested at a Moscow airport in February and accused of having hashish oil in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to the drug charges in July and could have received a penalty of up to 10 years in prison as a result. During sentencing, Russian prosecutors asked for Griner to receive nine and a half years in prison.
