Brittney Griner‘s return to the WNBA was supposed to mark a fresh chapter. But for some, her past remains a point of contention-especially after a recent on-court outburst and the resurrection of old criticisms surrounding the prisoner swap that secured her freedom.
During halftime of an Atlanta Dream game, Griner snapped at an official with the phrase, “Be f–g better,” which was caught on a live CBS Sports sideline feed. The clip quickly went viral. Conservative commentator Jason Whitlock reignited outrage by posting, “We traded the Merchant of Death for BG. And y’all think the Luka trade was bad.” The jab alluded to the controversial December 2022 exchange in which the U.S. traded Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner‘s release.
Former Phoenix Suns player Eddie A. Johnson quickly defended Griner on his podcast, saying, “So now athletes can’t show emotion huh? Man what happened to you? You are one sad big puppy.” Johnson‘s rebuke highlights the tension between athletes’ emotional expression and the public’s perception-especially when layered with political baggage.
Heated criticism meets Griner’s redemption arc on and off the court
Griner‘s 2022 arrest in Russia for cannabis oil possession led to a nine-year sentence, which many decried as excessive. The U.S. ultimately negotiated her return in exchange for Bout, a figure infamous for supplying weapons in global conflict zones.
Known as the “Merchant of Death,” Bout‘s release raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Yet for supporters like Johnson, the U.S. decision wasn’t just a diplomatic transaction-it was a declaration of values.
This renewed scrutiny comes just as Griner prepares to tell her story in her own words. Disney and ESPN announced a multi-part project in late 2023 that will chronicle her 10-month imprisonment and emotional ordeal. The collaboration includes an ESPN Films documentary, a scripted limited series through ABC Signature, and a primetime interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.
“The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative, and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world,” Griner said. “I’m proud to partner with ESPN and Disney to share this very personal story because of its incredible potential to inspire hope around the world and their proven ability to do just that.”
The forthcoming documentary is set to feature unreleased footage, letters written during her incarceration, and interviews with her legal team and family. Meanwhile, the scripted series-executive produced by Griner’s wife Cherelle and her agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas-will focus on the psychological and emotional challenges Griner faced from her arrest to her release.
While some critics continue to question the value of her release, others see it as a necessary and deeply human effort. As Griner‘s saga transitions from headlines to Hollywood, the debate about her worth and her voice continues-now with the world watching.
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