Russia’s All-Star Centre remains in detention. A hearing is scheduled for May 19.
According to a source familiar with the decision, Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury centre, will be honored by the WNBA with a floor sticker.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the league’s Board of Governors approved Phoenix’s $228,000 US salary. This is the WNBA maximum. It also did not count against Mercury’s salary cap. The decisions were not made publically so both spoke under oath.
After her February 17th arrival at Moscow’s airport, the All-Star center was still in Russia. Russian authorities claimed that she was detained after a search of her baggage revealed that the vape cartridges contained oil derived cannabis oil. This could lead to a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. A hearing is scheduled for May 19.
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The Mercury would have to decide whether Griner should be suspended without pay or kept on the roster. Her salary would count against the cap, and the Mercury would lose a roster spot.
Griner’s initials, “BG”, and her No. will be featured on the decal. 42. The decal will be displayed on the home courts of all 12 teams starting Friday night’s season opener. The Mercury will open their season against the Las Vegas Aces that night.
ESPN reported first the news about the decal.
Charity Initiative
Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of the WNBA Draft, announced that there would be a leaguewide charity initiative led by the Mercury to support Griner’s philanthropic endeavor, called BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe drive.
Griner enjoyed one of her best seasons in the league last year, finishing as the second-leading scorer and sixth for rebounds. This helped the Mercury reach the WNBA Finals where they were defeated by the Chicago Sky.
