Women’s NBA star Brittney Griner, who had been liberated from a Russian jail in December, discovered herself and her Phoenix Mercury teammates going through a social media “provocateur” at an airport final Saturday.
A video clip posted on social media confirmed a person yelling at Griner as she and her teammates walked previous Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for a industrial flight to Indianapolis for a Sunday sport.
Griner has had safety personnel round her and constitution flights accredited for journey however she was along with her teammates, who should take common flights.
“Brittney Griner and the @WNBA players are leaders who inspire hope for a better, more inclusive and less divided America,” mentioned a press release launched by Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas.
“They are celebrated for the methods their activism evokes constructive change. In doing that, in addition they develop into targets for hate, threats and violence and right this moment’s incident is a transparent reminder of that.
“We cannot celebrate these women and their leadership without protecting them. It’s past time for charters and enhanced security measures for all players.”
Griner missed all of final season after being arrested at an airport in Moscow in February 2022 for having vape canisters with hashish oil in her baggage.
Griner was sentenced to a nine-year jail time period however freed as a part of a U.S.-Russia prisoner change.
She returned to the Mercury and started the 2023 WNBA marketing campaign final month, with Phoenix off to a 1-5 begin to the season.
“It has come to our attention that this was orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur,” the WNBA mentioned in a press release. “His actions had been inappropriate and unlucky.
“The security of Brittney Griner and all WNBA gamers is our high precedence. Before the season, the WNBA labored with the Phoenix Mercury and BG’s staff to make sure her security throughout her journey, which included constitution flights for WNBA video games and assigned safety personnel along with her always.
“We remain steadfastly committed to the highest standards of security for players.”
The Mercury had been additionally trying into the small print of the incident and coordinating with the league relating to the subsequent steps.
“The health and well-being of our players and staff are our top priority and we will always take every step within our power to protect player safety,” the membership mentioned.
“We are committed to supporting BG and advocating for all American hostages abroad. We will continue our support of marginalized communities and fight the kind of hate that targeted us today.”
“No one, regardless of identity, should ever fear for their safety.”
Huddled in a nook
Griner’s Mercury teammate Brianna Turner addressed the incident on social media.
“Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront,” Turner mentioned. “People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable—excessive harassment.”
“Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about. We demand better.”
The league’s gamers union, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, joined the decision.
“Allowing teams to fly charter is ONLY about player health and safety, and until the league and teams take this issue seriously, situations like this will continue to occur,” the union mentioned in a press release.
“Every commercial flight forced upon our players is a threat to their health and safety. We implore the league and the teams not to wait another day to change the rule regarding travel.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
