Saturday September 30, 2023

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
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

From Taylor Swift to the Prime Effect, there's a lot going on in the world of football.
Listen Now
September 29, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

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
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bay Area WNBA Expansion Latest Step In League Growth

A new team is reportedly coming to the Bay Area.
Golden State Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob walks alone the baseline during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center.

Warriors Owner Reportedly Adding A Bay Area WNBA Franchise

An official announcement could come as soon as early October.
The average resale price for Liberty-Mystics at Barclays Center is $100, a 28% jump over all WNBA regular season games.

Liberty-Mystics Is Best-Selling Playoff Series of WNBA’s First Round

The average resale price for Mystics-Liberty at Barclays Center is $100.
A close up of a WNBA basketball

WNBA Enters Playoffs With Wave Of Continued Growth

League completes regular season with broad set of increases
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

College football is taking over Saturday night.

How College Football’s Biggest Games Took Over Saturday Night

Network competition and West Coast storylines helped college football stage a coup.
September 29, 2023

Ryder Cup’s Future Hanging In The Balance Amid Saudi Disruption

An unexpected change could be coming to the Ryder Cup.
September 29, 2023

Colorado Has Become the Hollywood of College Football. This Weekend Proves It.

Folsom Field will welcome dozens of Hollywood stars on Saturday.
Toy Story
September 29, 2023

‘Toy Story’ Success Could Lead to More Disney-Branded NFL Kid-Casts

A successful ‘Toy Story’ game could open the door for other franchises.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Mahomes’ restructured Chiefs deal will pay him $210.6 million through 2026, the most in NFL history over a four-year span.

Patrick Mahomes Restructures Chiefs Contract for Historic Payday

Mahomes' restructured deal breaks the NFL record for a four-year span.
Simona Halep
exclusive
September 18, 2023

Former World No. 1 Simona Halep Says ‘There Is No Proof’ Behind Doping Ban

Simona Halep continues to fight her doping ban.
Eli-Manning-New-York-Giants
September 15, 2023

Eli Manning: Keep MetLife Field Turf

Eli Manning feels that MetLife Stadium should keep its artificial turf field.
September 12, 2023

Rodgers’ Season-Ending Injury Carries Huge Business Impacts

Marquee quarterback lost for entire season just four plays into first game
Joe Burrow’s $275 million deal makes him the league’s highest-paid player, with an average annual salary of $55 million per year.
September 11, 2023

The 10 Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks

Burrow's $275M extension is second to Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs deal.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the championship trophy after his match against Daniil Medvedev in the men's singles final on day fourteen of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
September 10, 2023

Novak Djokovic Extends Majors, Money Records With U.S. Open Win

Djokovic extends his all-time record men’s major victories (24).
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
September 9, 2023

Coco Gauff Arrives With U.S. Open Victory, Secures $3M Payday

Gauff earns $3 million for her first career Grand Slam victory.
Travis Kelce
September 7, 2023

Travis Kelce Talks Positional Values, Players Sports Betting Ahead of NFL Season

Kelce says tight ends should be paid off of production metrics.