WNBA players skipping offseason play in Russia due to Brittney Griner situation

The Las Vegas Aces made history on Sunday when they captured the 2022 WNBA title and now, the offseason has officially commenced. This one will look a little different for a host of All-Stars though, according to a report from the Associated Press and ESPN.

Due to Brittney Griner's ongoing detainment in a Russian prison, and the country's invasion Ukraine, multiple top WNBA players have elected not to play in the country this offseason. For decades, Russia has been the "preferred destination" for players to compete due to high salaries that can exceed $1 million and the "resources and amenities teams offered them," according to the report.

"Honestly my time in Russia has been wonderful, but especially with BG still wrongfully detained there, nobody's going to go there until she's home," former MVP Breanna Stewart, a teammate of Griner's on the Russian team said. "I think that, you know, now, people want to go overseas and if the money is not much different, they want to be in a better place."

A seven-time All-Star, Griner was arrested in February, then detained and later convicted on drug possession charges, and was sentenced to nine years in prison this summer. Russian began their military invasion of Ukraine in February as well.

Other All-Stars who have made millions of dollars and are now joining Stewart on the proverbial sidelines include Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot. Stewart, Jones and Vandersloot played alongside Griner for Ekaterinburg, but will be taking their talents to other locations this offseason.

The Russian team has won five EuroLeague titles in the past eight seasons and dominated dating back nearly two decades.

According to the report, nearly a dozen WNBA players played in Russia last winter and none of them are going back this year.