WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed more than 100 reporters Thursday in a Zoom session hours after Mercury star Brittney Griner was released from Russian prison following a U.S. prisoner swap deal for international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Griner, who spent 294 days in prison, was detained at a Russian airport in February after officials claimed that the eight-time All-Star had hashish oil in her luggage. In July, Griner pleaded guilty but affirmed that she had no intent to break the law. Then, on Aug. 4, she was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony in the Mordovia region after a monthlong trial.
In the wake of Griner’s release, Engelbert—who admitted she was very “emotional” when news surfaced about the WNBA star—discussed the future of the league’s athletes choosing to play in Russia during the offseason. While she has been a “big advocate” for letting players make their own decision, Engelbert said the WNBA is “chipping away” at growing the league with “player marketing agreements” as well as other stars getting involved with broadcasting and coaching opportunities.
