BRITTNEY GRINER

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr made a surprise appearance at the White House briefing Tuesday before celebrating their 2022 championship. Curry thanked President Joe Biden for getting WMBA star Brittney Griner home. (Jan. 17)

And Curry took a few moments to reflect on the past seven years as well as thank President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their role in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner. Curry and the Warriors were among the many players and NBA teams who outwardly supported the release of Griner throughout the duration of her 10-month imprisonment in Russia. While the Warriors returned to the White House, it might be harder to return to the NBA Finals in 2023. The Warriors have also endured a couple of in-house issues, particularly when it came to an offseason altercation between Green and Poole. But for now, the Warriors will celebrate their fourth ring in eight seasons as the team makes a push for a fifth.

Brittney Griner made a surprise appearance at an MLK Day march in Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday, just weeks after her release from a Russian penal colony.

Viktor Bout, who the Biden admin traded in a prisoner swap for Brittney Griner, jumped into far-right politics upon getting home to Russia.

The family of Zack Shahin, an American dying in a Dubai prison, called out the Biden admin for refusing to help secure his release 15 years after he was jailed.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — Russia has released a U.S. Navy veteran who apparently illegally crossed the border from Poland into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad last year and was held there for nine months. Bill Richardson announced that Taylor Dudley had been handed over to U.S. custody in Poland on Thursday. The State Department had no immediate substantive comment but said it was aware of “reports” that an American citizen had been deported from Russia. The department said it was constrained in what it could say about the case due to privacy concerns. A spokesman for his family said Dudley had traveled to Europe to backpack, had gone to Poland for a music festival and at some point crossed into Kaliningrad and was detained in April, 2022.

Viktor Bout, freed in a prisoner swap for WBNA star Brittney Griner, appeared to back out of a pledge to fight in Ukraine during an interview.

Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty ImagesAfter being freed in a prisoner swap for US basketball star Brittney Griner, arms dealer Viktor Bout is making rounds on Russian propaganda networks, but he is already changing his tune.During an interview last month with convicted Russian agent Maria Butina for the state media outlet RT, Bout proclaimed his wholehearted support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said he would certainly sign up as a volunteer, if he had the opportunity and necessary s

"Sunday Morning" host Jane Pauley looks back on key events of a dramatic year.

He’s in his early 50s, he’s absurdly wealthy, and he plays golf, the most conservative and establishment sport imaginable. Money has always fueled sports, but 2022 swept away any last pretense that sports were anything more than a for-profit enterprise. The Los Angeles Rams saw their all-in gamble pay off as they won a dramatic Super Bowl in their own stadium. The world’s two marquee athletic events — the Olympics and the World Cup — dropped any shred of pretending to be about anything other than money, power and prestige. Griner’s story may be the most memorable sports-related event of 2022, but the feelings from the year will linger, too.

WASHINGTON — (AP) — The Biden administration is marking the four-year anniversary of the detention in Russia of American businessman Paul Whelan, whose continued imprisonment is one of several major irritants in tattered relations between Washington and Moscow. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Wednesday that securing Whelan's release remains a top administration priority. The administration considers Whelan, like Griner, to have been wrongfully detained. “His detention remains unacceptable, and we continue to press for his immediate release at every opportunity,” Blinken said. U.S. officials said Russia refused to consider including Whelan in the Griner deal, calling it a “one or none” decision.

The Biden administration is marking the four-year anniversary of the detention in Russia of American businessman Paul Whelan.

Scholar Moya Bailey argued that recent public treatment of Meghan Markle, Brittney Griner and Megan Thee Stallion prove lasting “misogynoir” against Black women.

Every day, there are people in the world making incredible things happen, and their stories are sure to bring you a smile.

Throughout 2022, sports were another front in the cultural battles erupting across America and the world. Amazon became the first streaming provider to nab an exclusive, weekly NFL game . College Football's revolution: No sport saw as much upheaval in 2022 as college football, from every angle . After initially banning Djokovic for three years, Australian officials relented and allowed Djokovic to enter the country next month for the 2023 Open. Many of the accusers would end up settling with Watson, who served out an 11-game suspension to start the 2022 season.

Brittney Griner has asked her supporters to advocate for the release of Paul Whelan, a former Marine serving a 16-year prison term in Russia for espionage charges the United States are baseless.

The WNBA star asked social media followers to join her in sending letters to Whelan, who is still detained in Russia.

>> Read more trending newsIn the letter, posted to Griner’s Instagram account, Griner offered her thanks to those who fought for months for her to be released from Russian custody. “Thanks to the efforts of many, including you, I am home after nearly 10 months. After months of negotiations, President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a prisoner exchange of Brittany Griner for convicted firearms dealer Viktor Bout, The Associated Press reported. The prisoner exchange did not include former marine Paul Whelan, who has been held in Russia since 2018. In her letter, Griner encouraged her fans to support Whelan, saying, “My family’s whole and now, thanks to you, we are fortunate to get to spend the holidays together.

WNBA star Brittney Griner penned a letter to supporters thanking them and urged them to write to Paul Whelan, who is also imprisoned in Russia.

Now that she's back in the United States, Griner is urging fans to continue to push for the release of Paul Whelan and other Americans who are wrongfully detained. Griner also urged fans to write to Whelan and to continue to fight for the release of other Americans. The United States attempted to include Whalen, a retired marine currently detained in Russia on espionage charges, in offers with Griner. In July, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the United States sent offers to Russia that involved both Griner and Whalen. After her release, Griner hopes to keep the focus on getting Whalen home.

"They will soon be reunited with their loved ones, and we are absolutely gratified to see that," said a State Department spokesperson.

In this segment of "Scoreboard," Newsy's "In The Loop" explores the underlying pay issues in the WNBA that push some players abroad.

Basketball star Brittney Griner has spent several days doing "post-isolation support activities" at a military base in San Antonio. Here's what that means.

As the WNBA Players Association said in a statement last week, "our 144 is complete." It was a stacked squad that featured two MVPs (Charles, Taurasi), three No. 1 draft picks (Taurasi, Charles, Diggins-Smith), five 2021 Olympians and nine single-season scoring champions (Taurasi 5, Griner 2, Charles 2). Looking into 2023The three largest roster questions for the Mercury are around their “big three” of Griner, Taurasi and Diggins-Smith. The WNBA season will tip off on May 19.

Brittney Griner, in her first public statement since being released from a Russian prison, said she plans to resume playing in the WNBA for the Mercury.

In her first public comments since being released last week from a Russian prison, WNBA star Brittney Griner thanked friends, family, officials and the public for helping to bring her back to the U.S.>> Read more trending news“It feels so good to be home!” she wrote in a social media post. Griner returned to the U.S. on Dec. 9, after months of detention in Russia. The release was part of a prisoner swap with Moscow that saw Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout returned to the country. The prisoner swap was the second between the U.S. and Russia to take place under Biden, following the release in April of former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed. Reed had been convicted two years earlier of assaulting two Russian police officers and was sentenced to nine years in a prison camp.

Brittney Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Her comments came a week after she was released from a Russian prison, freed in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange. Griner posted to Instagram on Friday in her first public statement since her release. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. Griner has been staying in a hotel at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio since her return.

Griner also thanked President Biden for bringing her home, said that she "knows" he is "committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too."

In her first public statement since being freed from Russia, the two-time Olympic gold medalist says she'll play for her team, the Phoenix Mercury, when the season starts in May.

Brittney Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

Brittney Griner shed light on her time in Russia with an Instagram statement on Friday. After being released from Russian prison, the WNBA star was medically evaluated at San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Base. "I appreciate the time and care to make sure I was okay and equipped with the tools for this new journey," Griner wrote. The U.S. swapped the WNBA star for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on Dec. 8. The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn," Griner wrote.

The WNBA star, who returned to the U.S. on Friday morning after a prisoner swap with Russia, shared a photo of herself walking off of a jet and a photo of herself hugging her wife, Cherelle.

The return of Brittney Griner to the United States in a dramatic prisoner swap with Russia marked the culmination of a 10-month ordeal that captivated world attention, a saga that landed at the intersection of sports, politics, race and gender identity — and wartime diplomacy. Griner had for years been known to fans of women's basketball — college player of the year, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA all-star who dominated her sport. From there, attention turned to the possibility of a prisoner swap, especially after Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement of a "substantial proposal." Her wife, Cherelle, and her agent met with Biden at the White House as other officials worked behind-the-scenes on the case. No longer just a generational women's basketball player, Griner is standing at a much larger crossroads.

The return of Brittney Griner to the United States in a dramatic prisoner swap with Russia marked the culmination of a 10-month ordeal that captivated world attention, a saga that landed at the intersection of sports, politics, race and gender identity — and wartime diplomacy.

President Biden on Thursday mocked former President Trump for teasing a “major announcement” that turned out to be a new line of digital Trump trading cards. “I had some MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS the last couple of weeks, too…” Biden tweeted from his personal account. The president listed a consumer price report that showed inflation easing in…

The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport has announced that the WNBA received an A for its overall racial and gender practices for 2022.

Was American teacher left behind in Russian prison camp after similar offense because he wasn't woke enough for Biden? Griner is free but he’s still in custody.

NBC News has been embroiled in controversy over recent stories involving Paul Pelosi, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman and WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Dusty Baker finally got his elusive championship with the Houston Astros, garnering his first World Series ring in 25 years as a manager in one of the most memorable moments of the year in sports.

The Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout returned home last week after a prisoner exchange for American WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Griner hit the court at Fort Sam in Houston, where she is undergoing medical evaluations and spending time with family, her agent said.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan declined to call Viktor Bout a terrorist despite his conviction for conspiring to kill Americans.

The Minnesota Lynx forward said on CNN on Monday that, after watching fellow WNBA star Brittney Griner's 10-month long detention in Russia , that she won't play in international leagues anymore during the WNBA offseason. "@PHEEsespieces says she won't travel again for the WNBA after Brittney Griner's detention pic.twitter.com/ymLiBt3xcI — CNN This Morning (@CNNThisMorning) December 12, 2022"It's really scary. She spent 2021 playing for Lattes Montpellier in France’s league. Griner is now back in the United States, though her future basketball plans are still unknown . Like Collier mentioned, there is a lot of money for WNBA players to play in leagues outside of the United States.

Sitting in a Moscow studio as snow fell outside, looking relaxed in a blue blazer and maroon T-shirt, Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout described his 14 years in a U.S. prison in his first interview since he was exchanged for Brittney Griner, an American basketball player who had been held in a Russian prison colony following a drug conviction earlier this year.

A notorious arms dealer with alleged ties to Russian security services, Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and extradited to the United States in late 2010. In the interview, Bout described his time in solitary confinement as especially harrowing —"Yes, there was panic. Yes, it was very difficult," he told Butina — but also complained about American prison food, lamenting his inability to access garlic or fresh herbs. In that interview, Bout was eager to play the role of national martyr. “I am proud that I am Russian, and that Putin is our president," Bout said of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Catch up on key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Griner made connections with the people responsible for getting her home, spending time getting to know them and sharing details about her time away.

Brittney Griner was back in the U.S. and resting up as she was returned in a 1-for-1 prisoner swap with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout and her agent shed some light on her doings.

Brittney Griner picked up a basketball on Sunday afternoon at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, marking the first time the Phoenix Mercury star had done so in about 10 months. Griner has no plans to leave Fort Sam Houston anytime soon, her agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas told ESPN on Sunday night. She landed there early on Friday morning, shortly after she was released from a Russian prison, ending a nearly 300-day ordeal . When she does leave, Griner and her wife Cherelle will reportedly head to a private location — not their Phoenix home. After listening to Russian nearly nonstop, Griner insisted on talking about "everything under the sun."

Kremlin requested the release of former Russian Colonel Vadim Krasikov, who is serving a life sentence in Germany for murder, in exchange for Whelan.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, argued on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut” Friday that releasing Russian prisoner Viktor Bout was justified because he never killed any Americans.

This week, Paul Whelan’s sister watched as politicians and pundits weaponized the imprisoned American’s plight.

Brittney Griner was ready to talk on her 18-hour flight back to the United States earlier this week. Griner was released from a Russian prison on Thursday after 294 days behind bars after the United States agreed to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout . The exchange took place in the UAE, where Carstens and other officials made the swap at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. What about Paul Whelan? Retired Marine Paul Whelan was not included in the prisoner swap earlier this week, something Carstens was asked about on Sunday morning.

A U.S. envoy says Brittney Griner was eager to talk to everyone on the plane taking her away from captivity.

On this "Face the Nation" broadcast, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Rep. Adam Schiff joined Margaret Brennan.

WNBA star Brittney Griner didn’t want quiet time as soon as she boarded a U.S. government plane that would bring her home.

Over the last year, to free Americans held abroad, the U.S. has swapped a Taliban drug lord, a Russian pilot imprisoned for a scheme to distribute cocaine, and a Russian arms dealer.

Delicate negotiations between the United States and Russia led to basketball star Brittney Griner’s return in exchange for notorious arms dealer once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death.”.

More than half of WNBA players are competing abroad this winter to supplement their incomes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says more U.S.-Russian prisoner exchanges are possible.

Brittney Griner has returned to the United States, nearly 10 months after the basketball star’s detention in Russia made her the most high-profile American jailed abroad and set off a political firestorm.

The one-for-one swap involving Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout was not the one that U.S. officials had hoped to negotiate or were initially willing to accept.

Brittney Griner’s loved ones and extended basketball family were ecstatic when news broke about her release from a Russian prison and that she was on her way back to the United States.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is confident that Finland and Sweden will be approved soon for membership in NATO despite ratification delays in allies Turkey and Hungary.

WNBA star Brittney Griner’s 10-month imprisonment in Russia on drug charges came to an end on Thursday, spreading relief and joy across sports world and beyond.

The brother of an American detained in Russia since 2018 says that his family fears he will not be released for years.

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who returned to Moscow after a swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner, is widely known outside the country as the “Merchant of Death” who fueled some of the world’s worst conflicts.

Ukrainian officials claim Russian forces have installed multiple rocket launchers at Ukraine’s shut-down Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

American basketball star Brittney Griner is heading home, freed from Russian prison in exchange for the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Basketball star Brittney Griner has been released by Russia in a 1-for-1 prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to CBS News.

The family of Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, says that he has resumed contact after unexpectedly becoming unreachable in November.

A senior Russian diplomat says Russia and the United States repeatedly came close to reaching agreement on a prisoner exchange and a deal remains possible before the year’s end.

A senior Russian diplomat says Moscow has postponed a round of nuclear arms control talks with the United States set for this week because of stark differences in approach and tensions over Ukraine.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and Hall of Fame Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer each wore white long-sleeved T-shirts featuring Brittney Griner's name and image during their game Sunday.

WNBA star Brittney Griner this week began serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a Russian penal colony.

A show of prison artwork by a Russian arms trader serving 25 years in the United States and the focus of speculation about a prisoner swap that could free WBNA star Brittney Griner has opened at the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.

President Joe Biden says he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over.

President Joe Biden says he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be more willing to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner now that the U.S. midterm elections are over.

The Kremlin has reiterated that any discussions about a possible swap involving U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner who is serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia for drug possession must be strictly confidential.

A Russian court has rejected an appeal by U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession, a step that could move her closer to a possible high-stakes prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington.

Brittney Griner spent her 32nd birthday in a Russian prison, awaiting an appeal to her nine-year sentence for drug possession that’s set for next week.

Stephen Curry took the microphone in the middle of Golden State’s championship ring ceremony Tuesday night to make an impassioned plea in support of Brittney Griner as the WNBA star spent her 32nd birthday in a Russian prison.

WNBA star Brittney Griner is at her “absolute weakest moment in life right now” as she faces a hearing in Russia later this month for her appeal of a nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.

A Russian court has set a date for American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.

Brittney Griner anchored a dominant frontcourt that made the U.S. women’s basketball team the favorites in any international tournament.

The Biden administration should create an additional senior-level position at the White House National Security Council to focus on cases of Americans wrongfully detained in foreign countries.

Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in her debut for the United States, which beat Belgium 87-72 in its World Cup opener.

Brittney Griner’s absence is weighing on the minds of her USA Basketball teammates, who are trying to fill the void created by her absence as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup that begins Thursday in Australia.

Top WNBA players are finding other places to compete this winter, not wanting to go back to Russia after the arrest and conviction of Brittney Griner on drug possession charges and the country's invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden met with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan.

President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.

Bill Richardson, who has worked to secure the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, visited Moscow this week and held meetings with Russian leaders.

The Ukrainian military says it has repelled more than a dozen Russian attacks in the country’s east and north, including attempts to advance on key cities in the eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas.

Russian news agencies reported that lawyers for American basketball star Brittney Griner have filed an appeal of her nine-year Russian prison sentence for drug possession.

Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.

The Kremlin says it’s open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue.

Following Brittney Griner’s sentencing in Russia to nine years in prison Thursday, WNBA players, coaches and fans locked arms and tried to send the American basketball star strength during a moment of silence.

Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.

A judge in Russia convicted American basketball star Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling.