A former top Pentagon official said Saturday that she’s concerned Russia is detaining American basketball star Brittney Griner as “leverage over the United States.”
Evelyn Farkas told Yahoo Sports that Russia may want Griner as a “high-profile hostage” who could serve as a valuable bargaining chip.
Neither the WNBA nor Griner’s agent denied Russian media reports that it was Griner who had been arrested. In a statement released Saturday, agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas said, “We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA."
If Russia does try to use Griner for bargaining purposes, Partlett still doesn't expect a speedy resolution. Longtime women's basketball agent Mike Cound told Yahoo Sports on Saturday that Griner’s Russian team “pays per month at a level no one matches.” Among the other women’s basketball stars who have previously played for UMMC Ekaterinburg include Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot.
It’s unclear how long Griner has been in custody since Russian authorities said only that the incident at the airport took place last month. She last was active on social media on Feb. 5. She last played for UMMC on Jan. 29, just days before the Russian league took a break to allow players to participate in FIBA World Cup qualifying for the first two weeks of February.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WNBA All-star Brittney Griner arrested in Russia on drug chargesRussia’s Interfax news agency said a female US basketball player was arrested in February, at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.
Read more »
WNBA superstar Brittney Griner held in Russia on drug charges after airport marijuana bustA U.S. women's basketball superstar is being held in Russia after allegedly being caught with illegal drugs at an airport in Moscow.
Read more »
Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner arrested in Russia with vape cartridges, multiple reports sayStatement from WNBA on Brittney Griner's arrest: “Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States.”
Read more »
Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner detained in RussiaWNBA star Brittney Griner is embroiled in a legal situation in Russia, USA Basketball says in a tweet amid reports that she is being detained.
Read more »
Houston native and WNBA star Brittney Griner arrested in Russia on drug chargesRussian customs identified the person arrested as a player for the U.S. women's team, and...
Read more »