• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

After 294 Days in Russian Custody, Brittney Griner Is Coming Home

  • Brittney Griner began a nine-year sentence in at a Russian penal colony last month.
  • Griner’s release is in exchange from an arms dealer.
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Brittney Griner is going home after beginning a nine-year sentence at a Russian penal colony last month.

The Biden administration negotiated the WNBA star’s release from the penal colony on Thursday in exchange for Viktor Bout, an Arms dealer who served 11 years of a 25-year sentence.

“She is safe, she is on plane, she is on her way home,” Biden said.

Griner, who was detained in Russia in February for allegedly possessing vape canisters with cannabis oil, will be flown to a San Antonio medical facility to receive care.

Griner’s ordeal galvanized communities across the nation in support of the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

“The enormity of this moment cannot fully be captured in words. BG, Brittney Griner, is coming home,” said the WNBPA said in a statement. “Today culminates 294 days of relentless effort to free BG from her wrongful detainment. We, as a Union, have not been whole since February 17, 2022. But, today, our 144 is complete.”

Paul Whelan, a retired American Marine accused of spying, remains jailed in Russia. Biden said he would continue to work to free Whelan.

“There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn’t going to,” the Whelan family released a statement.

The WNBPA added: “Today, we also have Paul Whelan and his family in our hearts. We will continue to advocate for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans and reaffirm our commitment to the Bring Our Families Home campaign.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Championship Ring Boom: ‘Way Bigger. Way More Diamonds’

The Liberty’s WNBA championship ring value soared to $60,000.

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.

Clark, Fever Set Another Ratings Record Before Two-Week Injury

Caitlin Clark is out for a minimum of two weeks due to injury.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
John Haliburton

John Haliburton’s Brief Ban Ends With Pacers on Brink of Finals

John Haliburton was sitting in a suite instead of his usual courtside seat. 
May 27, 2025

Dodgers’ Biggest Deadline Pickup Might Already Be in L.A.

Ohtani faces batters as a pitcher for the first time in 21 months.
Cousins
May 27, 2025

Kirk Cousins, James Cook Among Prominent NFL OTA Absences

The NFL’s 2024 rushing touchdowns leader was among the absences Tuesday.
Sponsored

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

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Russian hockey
May 27, 2025

Russia Still Banned From 2026 Winter Olympics, IOC Confirms

Russia men’s hockey won gold and silver in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
May 27, 2025

How Much Do NFL Agents Make?

We dive into what agents make at American football’s highest level.
May 26, 2025

Caitlin Clark Injury Is Speed Bump Early in WNBA Season

Clark will miss at least four games based on the timeline.
May 25, 2025

Tom Brady Backs Another Crypto Play

Brady is in a group investing $18 million in a crypto-adjacent business.