WNBA says Brittney Griner subject of 'inappropriate' incident involving social media 'provocateur'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Brittney Griner was targeted by "inappropriate and unfortunate" actions of a "social media figure and provocateur" at the Dallas airport Saturday, the WNBA says.

It's unclear what incident the WNBA is referencing, but social media personality Alex Stein posted to Twitter Saturday, saying the WNBA was "[writing] press releases about me," along with a snippet of his personal interaction with Griner.

Stein was walking beside Griner and other members of the team in the airport when he asked Griner why she "hates" and "still want[s] to boycott" America.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury during play against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena May 19, 2023, in Los Angeles.   (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Security pushed Stein away, and then another member of the team called him "weird."

"I'm weird? Why? She hates America," Stein replied.

"What about the Merchant of Death, Brit?" asked Stein, referencing Viktor Bout, who the U.S. returned to Russia in exchange for returning Griner to the U.S. from a Russian prison.

Griner received criticism for previously kneeling for the national anthem, but upon returning to the WNBA this season, she had a change of heart, saying she "definitely [wanted] to stand."

"Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different," Griner said after her return. "It’s like when you go for the Olympics, you’re sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up and the anthem is playing. It just hits different."

The Mercury franchise is "reviewing the incident."

Dallas Wings center Kalani Brown, left, falls backward while