Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Brittney Griner will only play overseas again at this event

By Jason Clinkscales | Last updated 4/27/23

Nearly five months after her release from a Russian penal colony in a prisoner exchange, Brittney Griner gave her first extended comments at a news conference ahead of Phoenix Mercury training camp.

Among the many illuminating comments was her answer when asked if she would play overseas again after the end of the WNBA season. Griner said no, but considering her ordeal there was a surprising exception: the Summer Olympics.

“I can say for me, I’m never going overseas to play again unless I’m representing my country at the Olympics.”

Brittney Griner addresses the pay gap and why WNBA players travel overseas to play. pic.twitter.com/9Ot2ppd8NW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2023

Many WNBA players go to Australia, Asia and Europe to supplement their incomes as the pay overseas is generally greater than in the States.

The State Department and White House advocated and negotiated Griner's release with Russia, a terrorist state in the eyes of many because of its unprovoked attack against Ukraine, among other issues.

It's safe to assume that Griner would be comfortable going to the Olympics because Team USA would have logistical resources — namely security — that do not exist at a team level in just about every sports league across the globe.

Griner is a two-time Olympic champion, winning gold in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and at the COVID-delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo. In July-August 2024, Paris will host the next Summer Games.

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