The Griner Deal

07/28/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Biden Administration Offers Prisoner Swap to Free WNBA Star Brittney Griner From Russia

The saga involving WNBA star Brittney Griner finally has a development. After serving more than 160 days in a Russian prison for possession of cannabis, the United States has made a “substantial” proposal to bring her home. The Biden Administration announced Wednesday that an offer had been made involving a prisoner swap for Griner and Paul Whelan — an ex-Marine detained since 2018. The deal offers the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed “The Merchant of Death.”

 

What Comes Next?

Griner has missed the entire WNBA season with her Phoenix Mercury squad due to the detainment since atempting to leave Russia in the spring. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. will discuss the offer with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “in the coming days.”

 

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Griner Timeline: What Has Happened Since the WNBA Star Was Detained

CNBC: Biden Administration Makes Offer to Russia for Release of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan

 

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko / Getty Images