‘It’s hard to think it’s safe’: WNBA players shun Russia after Griner’s ordeal

Brittney Griner’s highly publicized legal problems in Russia and the country’s invasion of Ukraine have prompted top WNBA to take their talents elsewhere this offseason.

For the past few decades, Russia has been the preferred offseason destination for WNBA players because of salaries that can exceed $1m and the resources and amenities on offer. That tome has come to an abrupt end.

“Honestly my time in Russia has been wonderful, but especially with BG still wrongfully detained there, nobody’s going to go there until she’s home,” said Breanna Stewart, who played alongside Griner in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg. “I think that, you know, now, people want to go overseas and if the money is not much different, they want to be in a better place.”

Griner was arrested in February, then detained and later convicted on drug possession charges amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Griner was sentenced last month to nine years in prison.

Now, Stewart and other WNBA All-Stars, including Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot – who have also made millions of dollars playing in Russia – are going elsewhere this winter. All three played for Ekaterinburg. Nearly a dozen WNBA players competed in Russia last winter and none of them are heading back this year.

After the World Cup tournament, Stewart is going to Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe. Top players can make a few hundred thousand dollars playing in Turkey, much less than their Russian salaries. Playing in Turkey also allows Stewart to be closer to her wife’s family in Spain.

“You want to have a better lifestyle, a better off-the-court experience, and just continue to appreciate other countries,” Stewart said.

Like Stewart, Vandersloot isn’t headed back to Russia, choosing to play in