In this blog post, we study the remarkable journey of Brittney Griner’s net worth, exploring her lucrative career, international ventures, and the various factors that have contributed to her impressive financial standing. Join us as we unravel the financial prowess of this WNBA star in the fascinating world of “Brittney Griner Net Worth.”
Brittney Griner is one of the most successful and highest-paid basketball players in the world. She has won two Olympic gold medals, and two WNBA championships, and has been named to the All-WNBA First Team five times. Griner also plays overseas during the WNBA offseason, where she earns a much larger salary.
Who is Brittney Griner?
Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s national basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star. She was additionally named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.
Griner was born in Houston, Texas, and played college basketball at Baylor University. As a freshman, Griner’s 223 blocked shots set the all-time single-season record, establishing her as one of the greatest shot blockers in women’s basketball history. She was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury with the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft.
In 2014, Griner helped the Mercury win the WNBA championship. She has also been named Defensive Player of the Year twice and was the WNBA’s leading scorer in 2017.
Griner was detained in Russia in February 2022 after she was accused of carrying cannabis oil in her luggage. She was later found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison. However, she was released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia.
Griner is a dominant force on the basketball court and is one of the most talented players in the WNBA. She is also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and has been a role model for many young athletes.
| Who is Brittney Griner in a Nutshell | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brittney Yevette Griner |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1990 |
| Age | 32 Years Old |
| Gender | Female |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Position | Center |
| Teams | Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), Baylor Lady Bears (NCAA) |
| Awards | 2x Olympic gold medalist, WNBA Champion 2014, 9x WNBA All-Star, 2x WNBA Defensive Player of the Year |
| Nationality | United States of America |
Brittney Griner Net Worth 2023
Brittney Griner, the American professional basketball player, has a net worth of $17 million. She earned a peak annual salary of $227,000, which is the WNBA league maximum. In addition to her WNBA earnings, Griner has played overseas, making $600,000 in 2014 while playing for a Chinese team for three months and around $1.5 million while playing in Russia.
Before joining the WNBA, she excelled at Baylor University, becoming the only NCAA basketball player to achieve 500 blocks and score 2,000 points. Griner’s achievements extend beyond the WNBA, as she contributed to the US women’s basketball team’s victories at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
Griner’s net worth is likely to continue to grow in the years to come. She is still a relatively young player and she is expected to continue to be one of the best players in the WNBA. She also has the potential to sign even more lucrative endorsement deals in the future.
| Brittney Griner Net Worth in a Nutshell | |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $17 million |
| Salary | $2 million |
| Assets & Investments | $8 Million |
| Endorsements | Nike, Boost Mobile, Beats by Dre, and BodyArmor |
| Other Sources of Income | Business ventures, speaking engagements, and appearances |
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Early Life and High School
Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Her father, Raymond Griner, served as a Harris County deputy sheriff and a Vietnam War veteran, while her mother is Sandra Griner. She has three older siblings named D, Shkera, and Pier.
Griner attended Nimitz High School in Houston, where she excelled in both basketball and varsity volleyball. Notably, she practiced with the boys’ basketball team during her sophomore year and trained with a football coach to enhance her leg strength for dunking.
Dominating High School Basketball
During her time in high school, Brittney Griner gained immense attention for her dunking abilities. A YouTube video featuring her dunks garnered over 6.6 million views, leading to a meeting with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
In her senior year, Griner guided the Nimitz Cougars to the Texas 5A girls basketball state championship game, though they narrowly lost to Mansfield Summit High School with a score of 52–43. Griner’s exceptional skills were evident as she dunked 52 times in 32 games during her senior season, even setting a single-game record of seven dunks against Aldine High School.
Recognitions and Records
Brittney Griner’s outstanding shot-blocking ability was recognized when she recorded an astounding 25 blocks in a single high school game against Houston Alief Hastings, marking the most ever recorded by a female in U.S. high school basketball history.
Throughout her 2008–09 season, she accumulated an impressive 318 blocks, setting a new single-season record. Griner’s talent and achievements earned her a spot in the WBCA All-American team and a participation in the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she led the team with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
Honoring Brittney Griner
In acknowledgment of her remarkable accomplishments, Houston mayor Bill White declared May 7, 2009, as Brittney Griner Day in the city.
College Basketball Success at Baylor University
Freshman Year Dominance
At Baylor University, Brittney Griner showcased her basketball prowess as a member of the Baylor Lady Bears team. Her freshman year was marked by an extraordinary feat of setting a new single-season record with 223 blocked shots. She also achieved Baylor’s first-ever triple-double during late 2009 and became the seventh female player to dunk in a college basketball game early the next year.
NCAA Tournament Triumphs
During her college career, Griner played a pivotal role in Baylor’s success in the NCAA Tournament. They reached the Sweet 16 by defeating Tennessee, with Griner setting a new NCAA Tournament record of 14 blocked shots against Georgetown. In the Elite Eight, Baylor emerged victorious against Duke, and Griner set a new tournament record with a total of 35 blocks. However, their journey came to an end in the Final Four with a loss to eventual champion Connecticut.
Accolades and Championship Win
Griner’s exceptional skills earned her recognition, as she received First-Team All-American honors during her sophomore year and was named AP Player of the Year in her junior year. She played a significant role in helping Baylor win the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship over Notre Dame, with the team finishing the season undefeated with an impressive 40 wins, the most in NCAA history. Griner’s college career concluded in 2013, with Baylor’s Sweet 16 loss to the University of Louisville.
Dominant WNBA Career of Brittney Griner
Impressive Rookie Year
Selected as the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Brittney Griner had a remarkable rookie season. In her debut game, she matched the WNBA career dunk record with two dunks, showcasing her extraordinary talent. Throughout the season, she averaged an impressive three blocks per game.
Continued Success in Subsequent Seasons
In 2014, Griner’s performance improved even further, with an average of 3.7 blocks per game, along with 15.6 points and eight rebounds. The Mercury had a historic 2014 season, finishing with a record of 29-5, the most regular-season wins in WNBA history. They subsequently swept the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Finals to claim the championship.
Prolific Defensive Performances
The success continued for Griner in 2015, where she had the most prolific defensive season in WNBA history, averaging four blocks per game. The Mercury reached the playoffs again, and Griner set a new WNBA playoff record with 11 blocks. However, they fell short against the Minnesota Lynx.
Strong Performances in Later Seasons
Griner continued to excel in subsequent seasons, leading the league in blocks and scoring multiple times. In 2017, she finished as the league leader in scoring, with 21.9 points per game. The Mercury reached the semifinals in the playoffs that year, but they were defeated by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Playoff Heroics
Griner’s outstanding performances continued in the 2021 season, where she averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Her stellar play helped the Mercury secure a spot in the WNBA Finals, where they faced the Chicago Sky but ultimately fell short in four games.
2020 Season Disruption
In the 2020 season, Griner played 12 games before having to leave due to undisclosed personal reasons, contributing to the shortened season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brittney Griner’s WNBA career has been filled with incredible accomplishments, making her one of the league’s standout players with her dominant defensive skills and scoring ability.
Offseason Ventures: Dominating Abroad
Playing in China
During the WNBA offseason, Brittney Griner takes her talents abroad to continue playing basketball. In the 2013-14 offseason, she joined China’s WCBA team, Zhejiang Golden Bulls, signing an impressive four-month contract worth $600,000. This amount was 12 times more than her rookie earnings with the Phoenix Mercury.
Success in Russia
In the subsequent offseasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16, Griner played for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg, where she achieved great success by winning consecutive championships. Her impressive performance led her to re-sign with the team for the next three offseasons, further solidifying her reputation as a dominant player on the international stage.
Brittney Griner’s offseason ventures have not only allowed her to showcase her skills globally but also earned her significant financial rewards and recognition for her talent and achievements.
Olympic and World Cup Success
Olympic Triumphs
Brittney Griner represented the US women’s basketball team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, contributing significantly to their success. The team claimed the gold medal after a convincing victory over Spain in the final with a score of 101-72. In the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Griner once again played a pivotal role as the US team secured another gold medal.
World Cup Dominance
Beyond the Olympics, Griner and the US women’s basketball team achieved remarkable success at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. They claimed gold medals at both the 2014 and 2018 editions, showcasing their dominance on the global stage.
Brittney Griner’s remarkable performances and contributions have played a vital role in the continued success of the US women’s basketball team, making her a key figure in their achievements at major international tournaments.
Brittney Griner’s Arrest and Release in Russia
Arrest and Sentencing
In early 2022, Brittney Griner faced a significant legal challenge when hash oil was allegedly found in her luggage at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Russia. The substance is illegal under both Russian and US federal law, adding to the complexity of her situation. Given the tensions between Russia and the US due to the invasion of Ukraine, concerns arose about the difficulty of securing her release. In July 2022, Griner appeared in a Russian courtroom and pleaded guilty to drug charges, leading to her sentencing of more than 10 years in prison.
Prisoner Swap and Release
Fortunately, on December 8, 2022, a prisoner swap arrangement was made, and Brittney Griner was released. She was part of the exchange for convicted arms smuggler Viktor Bout, who had served 11 years of a 25-year sentence for attempting to supply weapons to terrorists, unbeknownst to him that the “terrorists” were FBI agents.
Brittney Griner’s ordeal in Russia came to an end with her release through the prisoner exchange, putting an end to the challenging legal situation she faced in the country.
Brittney Griner’s Personal Life and Advocacy
Identity and Breaking Gender Norms
Brittney Griner openly identifies as lesbian and came out publicly in early 2013. She is dedicated to challenging traditional gender roles and regularly models clothes branded as menswear through her endorsement deal with Nike.
Relationships and Legal Troubles
In 2014, Griner got engaged to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. However, the following year, both of them faced legal issues, getting arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and assault. Despite the challenges, they got married but were later suspended by the WNBA for seven games after pleading guilty to their disorderly conduct charges. The marriage ended in divorce in 2016. In 2019, Griner got engaged to Cherelle Watson, and the couple married.
Advocacy for WNBA Players
In June 2023, Brittney Griner called for better-traveling accommodations for WNBA players following an incident where she was harassed by a YouTuber while walking through a Dallas airport.
Brittney Griner’s personal life journey and advocacy work reflect her dedication to embracing her identity and challenging societal norms while also striving to improve conditions for her fellow WNBA players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brittney Griner’s net worth is estimated to be $17 million.
Yes, Brittney Griner does not have any biological children. However, she is the legal parent of her ex-wife Glory Johnson’s twin daughters, Ava and Solei.
Brittney Griner’s salary in the WNBA is $227,000. She also earns a significant amount of money playing overseas, where she has made up to $1 million per season.
Brittney Griner is 6 feet 9 inches tall.
Brittney Griner weighs 205 pounds.
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