After Brittney Griner’s $1 Million Russian Lure Admission, WNBA Takes Major $700,000 Step to Curb Pay Gap Talks

Brittney Griner seems to be in an unwinnable battle for her freedom in Russia. The Phoenix Mercury star is losing hopes of ever returning home to the US. Griner has been stuck in Russian since February. The Moscow Airport authorities detained the eight-time WNBA All-Star after vape cartridges filled containing cannabis oil were reportedly found in her luggage. Griner has been since sentenced to nine years in prison and is awaiting an appeal hearing scheduled for October 25. 

The US authorities are doing everything they can to bring Griner home. Despite the dangers, the WNBA stars continue to travel to foreign countries in lieu of making more money than they do in the WNBA. Thus, the WNBA has taken a major step to stop the league athletes after Griner’s admission about making over a million dollars per season in Russia.

Brittney Griner admitted to making $1 million in Russia playing in the foreign league during the WNBA offseason. The amount is about four times more than she made during a season in the WNBA.

WNBA requests players to stay at home

Reports suggest that 30 WNBA players chose to travel to Russia despite the dangers. So, the WNBA has taken a major step in order to convince the players to stay home. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said top players could make up to $700,000 during the upcoming season with base salaries, marketing agreements, and award bonuses. 

READ MORE: Spending Time in a “Torture” Colony, Brittney Griner’s Horrifying “23 Hours a Day in Prison” Condition Revealed

The WNBA feels that the move will entice the league athletes to refrain from playing in foreign leagues and avoid ending up like Griner. The maximum and minimum base salaries in the WNBA 2022 season are reportedly $228,094 and $60,471.

It is a massive pay difference compared to the money players earn playing for teams owned by Oligarchs. Thus, it is nearly impossible for WNBA stars to turn down an irresistible deal, earning them several hundred thousand dollars. But Russian league players like Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, and Jonquel Jones decided to stay back at home this offseason.

Brittney Griner is losing hope in Russia

Griner attorney Alexandr D. Boykov recently revealed that BG is unconvinced that America will be able to bring her home. The 2014 WNBA champ is worried about the price that she would have to pay for her freedom. The 31-year-old is afraid that she would be forced to serve the whole sentence in Russia.

Watch This Story: Spending Time in a “Torture” Colony, Brittney Griner’s Horrifying “23 Hours a Day in Prison” Condition Revealed

While Griner is dealing with one of her toughest phases, the US authorities have offered a prisoner exchange to the Russian government. However, the negotiations have delivered any fruitful results for BG yet. Thus, Griner’s fate now rests on the appeal hearing, which could result in her working in a Russian labor camp.