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What Is Brittney Griner’s New Deal With Phoenix Mercury? 33YO Set to Return for Her 11th Season

Published 04/03/2024, 4:00 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Updates are coming in hot as Brittney Griner is returning to her WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury. Reportedly, it is a deal worth $150,000 for a year. Her 2024 comeback will mark her 11th season in the WNBA, and her second since freed from a 10-month-long wrongful detention in Russia.

With her nearly 7-foot stance, Griner’s NCAA accomplishments had projected her as the No.1 overall draft pick. In her second season in the WNBA, she led the Phoenix Mercury to its 3rd WNBA championship. Now that she is making a comeback for another season with Mercury, she will have a winning aim in mind.

“Phoenix is home,” said Griner exiting the meeting after the 2023 season, indicating that she doesn’t want to play with any other team. “The love and support my wife and I have received from the organization, community and X-Factor over the last 11 years has meant everything to us. I’m excited to continue my career in a Mercury jersey and work towards bringing another championship back to the Valley.”

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USA Today via Reuters

Her decision of re-signing with Phoenix Mercury comes ahead of this year’s Summer Olympic Games which is to be held in Paris. Griner’s return will have a blazing impact on Mercury’s roster because of her presence on the frontcourt. Along with being a dominant center, Griner brings amazing shot-blocking, scoring ability, and defensive strength to the court. Also, her leadership and experience can come in handy for the team in crucial plays.

Therefore, with Griner back in the lineup, the team will need to make some changes to accommodate her playing time.

But amid her comeback, many are still wondering about her Russian incarceration. Mindful of the growing public curiosity, Griner is now coming out with her book to answer: why she was detained in Russia?

Griner’s jail manual to be released this spring

Two years ago, Brittney Griner faced one of the toughest times of her life, being wrongfully detained in Russia. Now, Griner has reached a point when she is ready to tell her story of what she went through in her memoir – ‘Coming Home‘. Scheduled to be released in May, this memoir will be focused on her imprisonment in Russia.

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“Coming Home is a story of hope and survival, of before and after. Before, on my way to Russia, a place I’ve called my second home, I was excited to win another title. For eight seasons I played there, won there, and lived there for long stretches. A short time later and a world away, I woke up in an after I’d wish on no one,” wrote Griner in her Instagram post while announcing her book’s scheduled release.

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“Coming Home begins in a land where my roots developed and is the diary of my heartaches and regrets. But, ultimately, the book is also a story of how my family, my faith, and the support of millions who rallied for my rescue helped me endure a nightmare,” she added in her post.

Moreover, Griner has also partnered with ESPN and Disney Entertainment Television for different projects to be showcased on their platforms. “The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world. I’m proud to partner with ESPN and Disney to share this very personal story because of its incredible potential to inspire hope around the world and their proven ability to do just that,” said Griner in a statement.

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These projects include a documentary feature by ESPN Films, along with the development of a scripted series with ABC Signature.

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Written by:

Dimple Gupta

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Dimple Gupta is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Dimple is adept at in-depth coverage and brings insightful coverage with her captive chronicles. Her articles often discuss trade details, NIL deals, and other monetary aspects.
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Edited by:

Bilal Handoo