WNBA star Brittney Griner remains in Russian custody, as she was arrested after authorities said they found cannabis oil in her luggage earlier this year.
While the situation with Griner is a scary one – she’s reportedly facing multiple years in prison – those close to her want everyone back home to remain calm.
Griner’s family and friends do not want her to become a political pawn between Russia and the United States.
“So what we were told, and again, this is all sort of passed along through hearsay,” WNBA legend Lisa Leslie said. “What we were told was to not make a big fuss about it so they could not use her as a pawn, so to speak, in this situation in the war. So to make it like it’s not that important, or don’t make it like ‘Free Brittney’ and we start this campaign and it becomes something they can use.”
“That’s what we were told. And I don’t want to say who told us. I don’t want to say who said that, but it’s been kind of spreading through the women’s basketball world.”
Lisa Leslie says women’s basketball players were instructed to NOT make a “big fuss” over Brittney Griner’s arrest in Russia to avoid the WNBA star from becoming a political pawn in a fight between nations. https://t.co/yJo4rbvQRd
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 25, 2022
While unfortunate, that makes sense. At this point, it’s reportedly best for most people to keep quiet on this situation.
“Completely understandable. Now is one of the few times when government needs to negotiate her return without spectacle. If Russia thinks they can use her to punish America why wouldn’t they make an example out of her? She’s in such a dangerous situation,” one fan tweeted.
“This is what every article I’ve read said about this. Her best chance of getting out is to not become a political pawn,” another fan added.
There have been a lot of stories asking why Griner’s predicament isn’t a bigger deal and pointing out the inequities between men’s and women’s sports. The people around her say those are great points, but… not right now. Every time the heat gets turned up, they cringe. https://t.co/PxBgjpymSn
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) March 14, 2022
Our thoughts remain with Griner’s friends and family members during this difficult time.
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