Shortly after Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian penal colony on Thursday in a high-profile prisoner exchange, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke about the star’s long-awaited arrival and possible return to action on the court.
During a Zoom press conference on Thursday, Engelbert she said was aware negotiations were “intensifying” and was “emotional” as discussions came down to the wire.
“These are geopolitically complex times in the moment. And so I’m overjoyed that BG will be reunited with her parents,” Engelbert said during the online press conference. “Her mom and dad, as a mom myself, I can’t imagine the anguish they have been going through. And obviously, you saw Cherelle at the White House this morning as events unfolded. And let’s not forget BG’s fellow WNBA players too. They advocated every day for her, and the whole women’s basketball ecosystem.
“And so yeah, so we’re obviously going to respect the privacy of this very critical time in her coming back home. And obviously, I’d love to call her. I’d love to see her. We’re going to give her the appropriate space and time for that, and then follow what Brittney and her family want to do about reengaging with the WNBA and our players. So I know our players are very anxious to reunite with Brittney as well.”
Griner, a two-time Olympian and 2014 WNBA champion, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport after Russian customs officials found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner was later convicted of drug possession and smuggling, which led to a nine-year sentence in a penal colony.
After months of negotiations, the Biden administration signed off on a trade to release Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to free Griner.
“There has not been a day over the past 10 months where we all haven’t had Brittney Griner on our minds and in our hearts and that has now turned into a collective wave of joy and relief knowing that she will soon be reunited with her family, the WNBA player community, and her friends,” Engelbert wrote in a statement.
The joy explained in Englebert’s statement is indicative to how the WNBA and sports world reacted after hearing the news.
Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart wrote “BG is FREE!!!” on Twitter shortly after Griner’s release. Nets guard Kyrie Irving thanked Griner on Twitter for “exemplifying what a true Warrior spirit looks like.”
The Phoenix Mercury, Griner’s current team, said in a statement the fight to bring the star home “has illustrated the power of the WNBA, its players, platform, and mission.”
“Miraculously, mercifully, the count of days detained has ended at 294, and our friend, our sister is headed back home where she belongs,” the Phoenix Mercury and Suns’ organizations said in a joint statement. “The emotions for our organization, just like for our fans and so many across the world, are those of joyous celebration, deep gratitude, grief for the time lost, and sincere hope for all families still awaiting the return of a loved one.”
