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How will the Brittney Griner case impact WNBA players under contract in Russia?

DECRYPTION – With Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner serving nine years in prison in Russia, the WNBA is preparing for massive repercussions on the European future of its players.

The painful verdict has fallen for Brittney Griner. Detained in Russia since February 12, the American basketball player was sentenced to nine years in prison and a fine of one million rubles (about 16,000 euros) by the Khimki court, near Moscow, on Thursday. A new stage in the ordeal of the 31-year-old American, arrested in February after Russian officials said they found cartridges containing cannabis oil as she returned to the United States for the resumption of the WNBA.

«This is unacceptable and I call on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be reunited with her wife, relatives and teammates.“urged US President Joe Biden in a statement immediately after the verdict was announced. Note that at the same time, Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues to urge Russia to agree to a deal for the release of Griner and Paul Whelan, another American whom the US government considers a wrongful detainee.

WNBA players accustomed to Russia

During the WNBA off-season, several players and other international stars usually fly to Europe. For decades, Russian clubs have been the crown jewel of women’s basketball in Europe, dominating all European competitions.

Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Emma Meesseman, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley have all played in Ekaterinburg jerseys with Brittney Griner. Together they won the Russian club’s fifth consecutive Euroleague in 2021.

Given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, strained U.S.-Russian relations, and Griner’s prolonged detention, returning to play in Russia was not a viable option for WNBA players.

Brittney Griner in the Ekaterinburg jersey in 2021. AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Solutions in Turkey and Hungary

As the United States Tourism Board continues to designate Russia as Level 4 “not to travel” and that the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) prohibits Russian teams from participating in international events, WNBA players see their European adventure dotted.

“To be honest, my time in Russia was wonderful, but with Brittney still wrongfully detained there, no one is going to go to Russia until she gets home”Stewart of the Seattle Storm told ESPN.

At the start of the summer, Breanna Stewart and Emma Meesseman signed with Fenerbahce and Jonquel Jones with Mersin in Turkey. Courtney Vandersloot will play for Sopron in Hungary. These three clubs will participate in the Euroleague whose Russian teams like Yekaterinburg are currently banned.

The American Tourism Board ranks Turkey as Tier 2 (“exercise extra caution”)while Hungary is listed at Stage 1 (“use normal precautions”). Conditions deemed much more optimal by basketball players.

Better wages in Europe

Mostly owned or backed by large corporations controlled by oligarchs, Russian teams offer far higher salaries than the WNBA. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Stewart, Jones, Meesseman and Vandersloot will earn much less in Turkey and Hungary than their previous salary with Yekaterinburg.

“I had the chance to play four years in Russia for really a lot of money and it helped me financially. But it is also a new opportunity. I like to play all year round without a break.Vandersloot said.

Courtney Vandersloot avec Ekaterinburg en 2019. Zuma / Panoramic

Salaries in Turkey for WNBA stars are between $300,000 and $400,000 a season. Less than in Russia but more than in WNBA. The European market is also experiencing a decline due to the absence of Russian teams from continental competitions.

A balancing act for the WNBA

The WNBA schedule is a key consideration for players when committing overseas. The Euroleague begins on October 12, with the Final Four scheduled for mid-April, but domestic leagues can extend into April – when WNBA training camps open.

Starting in 2023, players can face heavy fines and possible season-long suspensions if they show up late for WNBA training camp. Breanna Stewart said league pressure to prioritize the U.S. Championship was the main reason she only signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Storm last offseason.

But with increasing financial means in Europe and the fact that the WNBA is not inclined to increase its salaries in the near future, the desire to play in Turkey or Hungary could strengthen among American players.

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