Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was unfairly held in Russia late last year, was accosted by a guy described as a social media “provocateur” at a Dallas airport on Saturday.
According to a person familiar with the situation, Griner was at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport about 9:30 a.m. CT, travelling with Phoenix Mercury colleagues on their way to a game.
Griner was approached by the guy ranting at her about “the Merchant of Death.” According to the source, the argument became so heated that the guy was tackled and police enforcement was called in.
CNN has contacted local law police and the DFW airport on the incident.
After over 300 days in Russian jail, the two-time Olympic gold medallist was freed in a prisoner exchange involving Russian weapons dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the “Merchant of Death.” Some Republicans criticised the prisoner swap, accusing the Biden administration of handing a dangerous prisoner back to Russia, CNN has reported.
According to the WNBA, the interaction was “orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur.” His behaviour was unprofessional and unpleasant.”
Prior to the start of the season, the WNBA said that it collaborated with the Phoenix Mercury and Griner “to ensure her safety during her travel, which included charter flights for WNBA games and assigned security personnel with her at all times.” It’s unclear if Griner was aboard a charter aircraft on Saturday when the event occurred.
“We remain steadfastly committed to the highest standards of security for players,” according to the statement.
The Phoenix Mercury issued a statement saying that they are “reviewing the incident.”
“Our players’ and staff’s health and well-being are our top priority, and we will always do everything in our power to protect player safety,” the statement read.
“No one should ever fear for their safety, regardless of their identity.” “We will be coordinating next steps with the WNBA,” it said.
Brianna Turner, Griner’s teammate, tweeted on Saturday, “Player safety while travelling should be at the forefront.” Following with cameras and making outrageous statements is never appropriate. Harassment in excess. Our group gathered uneasily in a corner, wondering how to proceed. We expect more.”
Unlike the NBA, WNBA clubs are not authorised to utilise charter flights for trips, according to CNN.
The WNBA stated in April that it will extend its charter flight programme to include all playoff games as well as select regular season games if clubs had back-to-back games on the schedule.
Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner’s agent, said on Twitter that Griner and other WNBA players “are leaders who inspire hope for a better, more inclusive, and less divided America.”
“They are lauded for the ways in which their activism inspires positive change.” As a result, they become targets for hatred, threats, and violence,” Colas said. “We cannot honour these women and their leadership without also safeguarding them.” Charters and better security measures for all stakeholders are long overdue.”
In response to the incident, the WNBA players’ union issued a statement on Twitter, saying, in part, “As we continue to hear from our members throughout the start of the season, and particularly today with the situation involving the Phoenix Mercury at the Dallas airport, we are quite clear that the matter of charter travel is NOT a ‘competitive advantage’ issue.”
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