Phoenix Mercury Meet State Department as Griner Detention Continues

Phoenix Mercury Meet State Department as Griner Detention Continues
Brittney Griner of the United States poses for a photograph with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 8, 2021. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)
Reuters
6/15/2022
Updated:
6/15/2022
0:00

The Phoenix Mercury met with the State Department on Monday amid seven-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s ongoing detention in Russia, U.S. officials said.

Griner was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges. She could face up to 10 years in prison.

Last month the State Department determined that the 31-year-old was wrongfully detained.

“On June 13, representatives from the Department, including the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) met with the Phoenix Mercury,” the State Department said in a statement provided to Reuters, declining further comment.

The Phoenix Mercury did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last month, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said getting Griner home was the “number one priority” for both leagues.