Brittney Griner Files for Divorce After Seven Years of Marriage

WNBA star Brittney Griner has initiated divorce proceedings from her wife, Cherelle Griner, after seven years of marriage. Court documents confirm the filing, marking a significant personal development for the athlete who recently returned to the United States following her release from detention in Russia.

A Tumultuous Period and a Difficult Decision

Cherelle Griner emerged as a prominent advocate during Brittney’s nearly ten-month imprisonment in Russia. She tirelessly campaigned for her wife’s freedom, engaging with U.S. government officials and keeping the case in the public eye. Upon Brittney’s return in late 2022, she expressed profound gratitude to President Joe Biden and his administration for their efforts in securing her release.

At a press conference following Brittney’s return, Cherelle spoke emotionally about the ordeal. “Over the last 9 months you have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life and so today I’m just standing here overwhelmed with emotions but the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration,” she stated, with President Biden and then-Vice President Kamala Harris present.

Cherelle also extended thanks to various entities that supported the family during the crisis, including members of the Biden administration, Brittney’s former team the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBPA, and Brittney’s representation. She highlighted their collective efforts in maintaining public attention on the WNBA superstar’s situation after her arrest, sentencing, and transfer to a Russian penal colony.

“Today, my family is whole. But as you all are aware,” Cherelle continued, her voice conveying both relief and a broader concern, “There are so many other families who are not whole. BG’s not here to say this, but I will gladly speak on her behalf and say that BG and I will remain committed to the work on getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan) whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate BG being home. We do understand that there’s still people out here who are enduring what I endured the last 9 months of missing, tremendously, their loved ones.”

Background of the Marriage and Griner’s Imprisonment

The Griners, who married in 2019 and share a son, had their marriage described as “irretrievably broken” in court filings, according to reports. Brittney Griner’s journey through the Russian legal system began on February 17, 2022, when she was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Russian authorities stated that cannabis oil vape cartridges were found in her luggage.

Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges on August 4, 2022, maintaining that she had a doctor’s prescription for cannabis to manage pain and had inadvertently packed the items. Her conviction was upheld in October of that year, and she was subsequently transferred to a penal colony to serve her nine-year sentence.

The athlete’s release was secured through a high-profile prisoner exchange, trading her for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death.” Bout was serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. for charges including conspiracy to kill Americans, related to his support of a Colombian terrorist organization. The possibility of such a swap had been discussed as early as May of the previous year.

Reflections on the Future and Past Relationships

In her memoir, Brittney Griner reflected on the potential strain her lengthy prison sentence could have placed on her marriage. She wrote about contemplating the possibility of Cherelle seeking a divorce if she had to serve the full nine years. “My basketball career would be over. I’d be in my early forties and out of shape, would have to find a new way to provide for my wife. And Relle. She assured me she’d wait, but ten years was ridiculous,” Griner recounted, as reported by Complex.

She further described the emotional turmoil of her confinement, grappling with the reality of a potential nine-year separation. “I went through so many emotions being locked up, and just thinking about nine years,” she continued. “We planned on having kids, and doing all these amazing things together, and now I’m thinking, ‘Is that going to happen? How can I ask her to wait?’”

Previous Marital History

This marks Brittney Griner’s second divorce. Her first marriage was to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson in May 2015. Their union was marked by controversy, as both women were arrested on domestic violence charges just three weeks before their wedding. The divorce was finalized in June 2016, shortly after Johnson announced she was pregnant via IVF and a sperm donor.

Legal Proceedings and Current Status

Brittney Griner filed the divorce petition on a recent Thursday, with a court hearing scheduled for September 1. She is currently playing for the Connecticut Sun.