• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Russian Foreign Minister Considers Prisoner Swap Negotiation for Brittney Griner

  • Lavrov reportedly said he would plan a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
  • The news follows Blinken’s comments Wednesday saying he had attempted a prisoner swap.
Chicago-Sky-player-blocks-Brittney-Griner-shot
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

U.S. officials may finally have made some progress with bringing WNBA star Brittney Griner home, after she was detained in Russia on alleged drug charges in February.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly said he would consider speaking with Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, in order to arrange a prisoner swap for Griner. Lavrov said he could plan a call when he goes back to Moscow.

The news follows Blinken’s comments on Wednesday saying he had attempted a deal to bring both Griner and Paul Whelan back to the U.S.

The moves are some of the first public signs that Griner may actually come back to the U.S. safely. 

  • Her detention happened just days before Russia invaded Ukraine, when diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Putin’s regime were all but severed.
  • Griner’s trial began a few weeks ago. She pled guilty to carrying marijuana products in her luggage — though that’s reportedly all part of a scheme to bring her home through diplomatic channels.
  • Griner’s lawyers tried to argue in court that she had brought the marijuana to Russia mistakenly, as she had a medical prescription for it in the U.S.

Griner plays for a Russian team during the WNBA offseason in order to make a much higher salary than she can in the U.S. 

UMMC Ekaterinburg, the team she plays for, reportedly pays players $1 million a year — more than three times the amount she makes on the Phoenix Mercury.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Has the WNBA Outgrown the Matinee Madness of Camp Days?

Caitlin Clark will return from injury in a Wednesday noon game.
Brooklyn, NY - June 25, 2025 - Barclays Center: Chiney Ogwumike on the set of NBA Today during round one of the 2025 NBA Draft

ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike on Her Post-WNBA Second Act: ‘I Still Have to..

In her next chapter, Ogwumike is embarking on her new “greatest adventure.”
Dewanna Bonner

DeWanna Bonner Signs With Phoenix Mercury After Fever Saga

Bonner will rejoin the franchise where she won two titles.
Breanna Stewart

WNBA Players Call League Proposal For Fixed Salary Cap Inadequate  

The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires in less than four months.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.
July 8, 2025

Draymond Green Says He Should Be Union President in NBA CBA Rant

The NBPA president is CJ McCollum.
Jonas
July 8, 2025

Jonas Valančiūnas Is Cryptic About Nuggets Standoff in Lithuania

The Nuggets expect Valančiūnas to honor his NBA contract. 
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Enzo Fernandez
July 8, 2025

Chelsea Players Hawk Club World Cup Tickets on Instagram As Prices Plunge

The semifinals are set for weekday afternoons in New Jersey.
July 7, 2025

How Bradley Beal Buyout Would Save Suns $230M, and What’s Next

Beal has two years and $110 million remaining on his deal.
July 7, 2025

An FSU Amateur Golfer Beat the World’s Best—but Can’t Accept $79K Prize

Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad won the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
July 6, 2025

WNBA All-Stars Will Earn $2,575 for Playing in Game

The WNBPA is in the midst of negotiations for a new CBA.