Brittney Griner Is Returning to the WNBA After Signing a One-Year Contract With Phoenix Mercury

It’s official!

You can expect to see Brittney Griner back on the court when the WNBA season begins in May, Essence reports. 

After 10 months of being detained in Russia, Griner was released in December 2022. Now she’s announcing her return to the basketball court with a one-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury. 

"I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury this season," Griner wrote in an Instagram caption in December. "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." Two months and a 32% pay cut later, she's making it happen. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Phoenix Mercury (@phoenixmercury)

According to Insider, Griner will earn $165,100 to play for Phoenix this year, a 32% salary drop from last season and far less than the $234,936 max for which she was eligible. However, in doing so, Phoenix was also able to re-sign Taurasi, the WNBA's all-time scoring champion. Griner simply loves the game!

 "Britney is doing remarkably well, and she's starting to train. We're so excited to have her back in the league after an awful ordeal,” The WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.

We’ve missed you, Brittney! Good luck on a new season. 

This article was originally published to BOTWC