Tag Archives: Griner

Eight days after Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges, the WNBA star’s attorneys introduced new evidence they hope will result in a more lenient sentence. Lawyers on Friday presented a Russian court with an American doctor’s letter saying that Griner had been prescribed medical marijuana to help her cope with chronic pain from injuries that she sustained during her basketball career. “The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis. The… Source link

When the contentious worlds of Brittney Griner‘s detention in Russia and LeBron James’ media empire intersect, all it takes is seven seconds to ignite a controversy. In this case, it was James’ media company Uninterrupted releasing a trailer Monday for an upcoming episode of its talk show “The Shop,” in which the Los Angeles Lakers star discusses Griner, among other topics, with business partners Maverick Carter and Paul Rivera plus guests actor Daniel Kaluuya, artist Rashid Johnson and… Source link

LeBron James has influence. A lot of influence. He knows this, and relishes it. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does come with responsibility. ‌What he said in a preview clip for the latest episode of “The Shop,” his HBO sit-around-and-talk show, is irresponsible. ‌Talking about Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia, where she’s been imprisoned since February, James wondered aloud, “[She’s been there] over 110 days. Now how can she feel like America has her back? I… Source link

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to a drug charge Thursday in a Russian court, a “decision informed by discussion with her legal defense team in Russia,” Griner’s team said in a statement. “I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” Griner said in court. “I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.” In a statement, Griner’s legal team stated that “considering the nature of her case, the insignificant… Source link

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday asking for her release from Russia. Her agency released excerpts from the letter to the public: “… as I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner wrote. “On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought… Source link

Boston Celtics players delivered a message to the White House on Saturday during their NBA Finals practice. Bring Brittney Griner home. Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams and other Celtics players wore T-shirts at practice reading “We are BG” and imprinted with a QR code on the back linking to a petition calling for Griner’s safe return. Griner — a seven-time All-Star for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury — has been detained in Russia on drug charges since Feb. 17 after she allegedly… Source link

The U.S. has now classified WNBA star Brittney Griner as “wrongfully detained” by the Russian government, a State Department spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo Sports on Tuesday. The formal change in designation is a significant development because it opens a new path to secure Griner’s freedom. Instead of waiting for her drug smuggling case to play out in the Russian legal system, the U.S. government will now actively seek to negotiate her return. “Our expectation is that the White House do… Source link

The WNBA is planning to honor Brittney Griner across the league this season. Each team will have a special floor decal to honor the Phoenix Mercury star, who is still in jail in Russia, according to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. The decal will feature No. 42, Griner’s number, and the initials BG. The league announced the news on Tuesday morning. “As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community,” WNBA… Source link

One day after Russia revealed that it had detained seven-time WNBA all-star Brittney Griner on drug charges, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked what the Biden Administration planned to do to help her. Blinken, speaking Sunday from Moldova, was reluctant to comment specifically on Griner, citing “privacy considerations.” Answering generally, Blinken told reporters, “Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible… Source link

A former top Pentagon official said Saturday that she’s concerned Russia is detaining American basketball star Brittney Griner as “leverage over the United States.” Evelyn Farkas told Yahoo Sports that Russia may want Griner as a “high-profile hostage” who could serve as a valuable bargaining chip. “If we want her out of jail, Russia is going to have some terms,” said Farkas, who served as the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia and Ukraine from 2012-15. “It… Source link