Brittney Griner was recently released after ten months in captivity overseas. Russia released her in exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout through a prisoner swap deal. Griner was detained in February at a Moscow airport for carrying small amounts of cannabis oil in her belongings. The 2014 WNBA champion played for the Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason, like many other WNBA stars, for better opportunities and higher salaries. Many female hoopers think that the salary they get from the WNBA is simply adequate. WNBA star Angel McCoughtry recently talked about the amazing treatment she received overseas.

More often than not, the salaries of WNBA players are compared with their NBA counterparts. McCoughtry recently stated that countries like Russia, Lebanon, etc treat WNBA players like NBA players when they play overseas basketball.

McCoughtry on Brittney Griner and playing overseas

Angel McCoughtry recently sat-down for an interview with CBS News where she answered a variety of questions regarding Brittney Griner, and playing basketball overseas, among other things. She stated many WNBA players are undervalued in America. She listed superstars like Brittney Griner, Candace Parker, and Diana Taurasi and pointed out that they all make less than $1 million per year.

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The five-time WNBA All-Star added that WNBA players play overseas basketball to earn more money. She noted that her salary was $44K despite being the #1 pick and that’s why she had to travel to play in Russia and Lebanon. McCoughtry said, “I played in all these countries and they treated us like NBA players over there if that one makes sense.”

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She then disclosed WNBA players playing in Russia were given tips to leave the country before the war with Ukraine broke out. She recounted players started leaving the country after the tip and that was the time when Griner was arrested at the airport.

As per reports, Griner earns around $200,000 per year playing for the Phoenix Mercury. She reportedly earned more than $1 million per year during her stint in Russia.

Players protested against Russia

Many players loved playing off-season basketball in Russia. “Everything literally was first-class,” Sue Bird once said. “We’re staying at the best hotels. We go to Paris. We’re in, like, the bomb hotel in Paris.”

Even Brittney Griner once talked highly about playing in Russia. However, things changed after Griner was detained. WNBA players protested against Russia’s treatment of Griner. The players who played for Russian teams joined other overseas teams last year during the offseason.

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On the other hand, the WNBA has been trying to disincentivize players from going overseas during the offseason. From 2023, players could be reportedly fined and suspended for the whole season if they arrive late for training camps.