Brittney Griner Allegedly Harassed by Conservative Vlogger at Airport, WNBA Releases Statement

Griner and her team were confronted by a “provocateur” that was shouting negative comments at a Dallas airport.

(Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

Phoenix Mercury star center Brittney Griner and her teammates were allegedly harassed by a conservative YouTube vlogger, and the WNBA has issued a response to the incident.

On Saturday morning, Griner and her teammates were confronted by a vlogger from the conservative outlet Blaze Media at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas who allegedly hurled negative comments at them.

While it hasn't been confirmed, right-wing YouTube personality Alex Stein teased a video of his interaction with Griner.

Twitter: @alexstein99

It’s unclear what officially happened, but the WNBA issued a statement that promoted the safety of its employees while traveling and called the actions of the vlogger “inappropriate” and “unfortunate.”

The league also revealed Griner had been approved to fly charter for WNBA games but didn’t know why she wasn’t doing so on Saturday. 

"As we gather additional information about today's incident at the Dallas airport, it has come to our attention that this was orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur,” the WNBA wrote. “His actions were inappropriate and unfortunate. The safety of Brittney Griner and all WNBA players is our top priority.

“Prior to the season, the WNBA worked together with the Phoenix Mercury and BG's team to ensure her safety during her travel, which included charter flights for WNBA games and assigned security personnel with her at all times. We remain steadfastly committed to the highest standards of security for players."

Twitter: @WNBA

Griner's teammate Brianna Turner hopped on social media and gave some insight on what happened at the airport: "Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront. People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable. Excessive harassment. Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about. We demand better."

Twitter: @_Breezy_Briii

The Phoenix Mercury also released a statement late Saturday afternoon that read: "We are reviewing the incident that took place today at the Dallas airport. The health and well-being of our players and staff are our top priority and we will always take every step within our power to protect player safety."

"We are committed to our support of BG and advocating for all American hostages abroad. We will continue our support of marginalized communities and fighting the kind of hate that targeted us today. No one, regardless of identity, should ever fear for their safety. We will be coordinating with the WNBA on next steps."

Twitter: @PhoenixMercury

Brittney Griner is playing in her first WNBA season since being released from a Russian prison in December that forced her to miss all of the 2022 campaign. The 32-year-old was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow in February 2022 when she was returning to Russia to play basketball overseas. 

Russian customs officials said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her bags, which she later acknowledged in court and said she had no criminal intent. She was sentenced to a nine-year sentence in August but was released four months later through a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.

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