Phoenix Mercury

SOURCE SPORTS: Brittney Griner Signs 1-Year Deal With Phoenix Mercury

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Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner is set to return to the WNBA in the upcoming season, as it has been reported she’s signed a new one-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury. The news follows Griner recent high-profile 10-month imprisonment in Russia, in which she vowed to return to professional basketball following her release in December.

MORE: Brittney Griner Cut Her Hair While in Russian Custody Because It Kept Freezing

“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season,” said Griner during a press conference. “And in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.”

The 32-year-old center rejoins the Mercury with a $165,100 deal that will enable the organization to secure two veteran minimum and two base minimum contracts within the salary cap for next season. Griner has been seen working out sporadically since her release from Russian custody last December. 

MORE: Brittney Griner Dunks in Light Basketball Workout at Fort Sam Houston

Griner’s last game in the WNBA was back in 2021 when the Mercury lost to Chicago in the WNBA Finals.

Mercury has not officially announced the re-signing of Brittney Griner at press time. The WNBA’s 2023-2024 season begins May 19.

Griner and her wife were last seen on a public outing at this year’s Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Brittney Griner Makes Huge WNBA Career Decision

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Brittney Griner has been through a lot over these past few months. About one year ago, Griner was taken to a Russian prison after being caught with weed cartridges in the airport. Overall, the timing could not have been worse as the war in Ukraine was just beginning at the time. Subsequently, Russia decided to take a hard stance against the Americans, leading to a diplomatic showdown. Griner eventually spent upwards of nine months in jail before ultimately being released thanks to a prison swap.

Since that time, Griner has been spending time with her family. She has gone through hell and back, and there is no doubt what she has been through is traumatic. However, some questions have still arisen in regard to whether or not she would ever come back to the WNBA. At the end of the day, no one would blame her if she decided to retire. Although, Griner loves basketball and the Phoenix Mercury fans would love to have her back. Overall, it would be the ultimate comeback story.

Brittney Griner Decides

As it turns out, Griner has decided that she will, in fact, come back to the WNBA next season. According to Josh Weinfuss, Griner has signed a one-year deal with the Mercury. This will allow her to enjoy at least one more season with the team she has spent so much time with. Moreover, it gives her the opportunity to potentially retire at the end of the season. After all, given all that she has gone through, no one would really blame her if this was her last season. However, she could certainly come back after this deal is up. For now, everything remains up in the air.

Regardless, once Griner makes it back to the court, it will be a huge celebration for fans. Just a few months ago, no one knew if Griner would be able to come home from Russia. Now, however, she is free and will be getting back on the court very shortly. Hopefully, WNBA fans embrace her with open arms as she makes one of the more unlikely comebacks in the history of sports.

[Via]

SOURCE SPORTS: Suns/Mercury Owner Robert Sarver To Sell Both Franchises

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NBA Suspends Phoenix Suns Owner Robert Sarver from Organization Based on Violations of Workplace Standards

Owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Mercury, Robert Sarver announced he’s started the process to sell both franchises. 

In a statement, Sarver said in “our unforgiving climate,” it’s clear that whatever good he could do in the future is outweighed by things he’s said in the past.  

This comes after Sarver was suspended for one year and fined $10 million by the NBA after an independent investigation into the Suns’ and Mercury’s workplace.  The investigation found he used racist language and conducted unequal treatment of female employees as well as harsh treatment of employees that was related to bullying.  

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he “fully supports the decision” by Sarver to sell both teams. “This is the right next step for the organization and community,” Silver said.

READ MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Speaks Against NBA’s Handling of Robert Sarvar Punishment

Sarver said in the meantime, he’ll continue working on becoming a better person and helping his community in helpful ways.

Continue the conversation on social media.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Suns/Mercury Owner Robert Sarver To Sell Both Franchises appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Suns/Mercury Owner Robert Sarver Announces He’s Selling Both Teams

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Robert Sarver

Owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Mercury, Robert Sarver announced he’s started the process to sell both franchises. 

In a statement, Sarver said in “our unforgiving climate,” it’s clear that whatever good he could do in the future is outweighed by things he’s said in the past.  

This comes after Sarver was suspended for one year and fined $10 million by the NBA after an independent investigation into the Suns’ and Mercury’s workplace.  The investigation found he used racist language and conducted unequal treatment of female employees as well as harsh treatment of employees that was related to bullying.  

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he “fully supports the decision” by Sarver to sell both teams. “This is the right next step for the organization and community,” Silver said.

READ MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Speaks Against NBA’s Handling of Robert Sarvar Punishment

Sarver said in the meantime, he’ll continue working on becoming a better person and helping his community in helpful ways.

Continue the conversation on social media.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Suns/Mercury Owner Robert Sarver Announces He’s Selling Both Teams appeared first on The Source.

ICYMI: Brittney Griner’s Detention Extended, Trial Set to Start on Friday

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Brittney Griner’s trial is officially set to start on Friday. According to ESPN, Griner has been ordered to remain in custody for the entirety of her trial. Griner was arrested four months ago for alleged cannabis possession.

Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison if she is convicted on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.

During her court appearance on Monday, Griner’s detention was extended for six months to Dec. 20. Videos and images from the courthouse showed the basketball star in handcuffs.

“It was good to see her in some of those images, but it’s tough. Every time’s a reminder that their teammate, their friend, is wrongfully imprisoned in another country,” Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said. “It’s tough on our team. It is good to see her. See how she’s doing? I don’t know if she’s doing OK.”

According to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn, Griner’s conviction was always likely, despite the evidence holding up or not, citing the proceedings are a formality to qualify her arrest. Russia is reportedly willing to negotiate her release.

“This may sound counterintuitive, but the trial is a crucial part of the process,” Dr. Danielle Gilbert, assistant professor of military and strategic studies at the United States Air Force Academy, told ESPN. “The Russians have to keep pretending that this is a legitimate arrest. There is no reason to believe that the charges are legitimate or that her trial will be fair. But if and when she’s convicted, the Russians will have made clear their credible alternative to a deal to bring her home.

“Hostage diplomacy cases rely on the pretense of law. With Brittney Griner — and Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed before her — the Russians are using our own respect for the rule of law against us.”

The post ICYMI: Brittney Griner’s Detention Extended, Trial Set to Start on Friday appeared first on The Source.

Brittney Griner’s Detention Extended, Trial Set to Start on Friday

by
FWQ3KMEUEAAI0cF

Brittney Griner’s trial is officially set to start on Friday. According to ESPN, Griner has been ordered to remain in custody for the entirety of her trial. Griner was arrested four months ago for alleged cannabis possession.

Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison if she is convicted on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.

During her court appearance on Monday, Griner’s detention was extended for six months to Dec. 20. Videos and images from the courthouse showed the basketball star in handcuffs.

“It was good to see her in some of those images, but it’s tough. Every time’s a reminder that their teammate, their friend, is wrongfully imprisoned in another country,” Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said. “It’s tough on our team. It is good to see her. See how she’s doing? I don’t know if she’s doing OK.”

According to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn, Griner’s conviction was always likely, despite the evidence holding up or not, citing the proceedings are a formality to qualify her arrest. Russia is reportedly willing to negotiate her release.

“This may sound counterintuitive, but the trial is a crucial part of the process,” Dr. Danielle Gilbert, assistant professor of military and strategic studies at the United States Air Force Academy, told ESPN. “The Russians have to keep pretending that this is a legitimate arrest. There is no reason to believe that the charges are legitimate or that her trial will be fair. But if and when she’s convicted, the Russians will have made clear their credible alternative to a deal to bring her home.

“Hostage diplomacy cases rely on the pretense of law. With Brittney Griner — and Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed before her — the Russians are using our own respect for the rule of law against us.”

The post Brittney Griner’s Detention Extended, Trial Set to Start on Friday appeared first on The Source.