While much of the focus on the Brittney Griner arrest and detainment in Russia was focused on the arbitrary reasons and political gamesmanship involved, many people forget why Griner was there in the first place. Now, at least one major WNBA player is saying that because of what Griner went through, she’s not going to play overseas just to make more money.
Napheesa Collier, who plays for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, told CNN This Morning on Monday that she won’t play overseas due to concerns about the various laws and rules that are hard to keep track of between each country.
“For me, it’s just not worth it. It’s not the same for every player, but I had to look at I have a family now. Being at home is just a better option for me.”
Collier, who was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2019, played for Lattes Montpellier in France’s professional women’s basketball league during the 2021 offseason.
Griner was in Russia because she was playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg, as she has been doing since 2016. Playing overseas is a way for WNBA players to earn extra money, often more money than they make playing in the United States. For instance, Griner was being paid around $1.5 million to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, which is just about four times the WNBA’s max annual salary.
Griner returned home last week as part of a prisoner swap after being detained in Russia for 10 months.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.