WNBA Demands Action on 100th Day of Brittney Griner’s Detention: A Collective Plea to Bring BG Home

It has now been 100 days—that’s 144,000 minutes—since Brittney Griner was detained at a Moscow airport for allegedly carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil. Classified as a “wrongful detainment” by the U.S. State Department, her continued imprisonment has sparked a major public campaign led by the WNBA, players, and the WNBPA to demand her release. Reddit+15SI+15Reddit+15

🕰️ The Timeline to 100 Days in Detention

On February 17, Russian officials arrested Griner at Sheremetyevo International Airport, citing possession of vape cartridges containing hashish oil—illegal in Russia, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. She was playing overseas in Russia’s winter league with UMMC Ekaterinburg, as she has for seven straight offseasons, partly due to higher pay abroad. Reddit+5SI+5Reddit+5

Despite public calls for diplomacy, her detention has been extended twice: once until May 19, then again beyond that. U.S. consular access was denied multiple times, though on May 19, one consular officer finally met with her and found she was “doing as well as could be expected under these exceedingly challenging circumstances.” thehill.com+2SI+2SI+2

📣 WNBA & WNBPA Rally the Global Sports Community

On that 100th day, the league issued a powerful message, calling Griner a “teammate, friend, and sister”—a symbol of resilience, and a champion denied her freedom. The league repeatedly described her detention as wrongful, urging intervention from the Biden Administration. Reddit+15WBBH+15SI+15

The WNBPA joined in, spearheading a social and athletic response:

Athletes of all sports encouraged to sign the petition at WeAreBG.org

A call for media blackouts—silent solidarity to amplify Griner’s plea

Direct appeals to the White House: athletes and fans urged to call or message the Administration via provided contact channels

A broader push for public platforms to tell her story and raise awareness Reddit+15WBBH+15Yahoo Thể Thao+15

Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife, also publicly urged President Biden to meet with her, calling for personal diplomacy. “100 days of being wrongfully detained, @POTUS bring BG home,” she wrote on Instagram. wnba.com+10WBBH+10TheGrio+10

🌍 Wider Sports World and Media Join the Chorus

The campaign transcended basketball. Athletes from the NBA, MLB, collegiate programs, and other WNBA teams all donned “We Are BG” shirts, shared the petition, and amplified the WNBA’s message.

Even NBA Finals players such as members of the Boston Celtics wore merchandise in support during practice, with QR codes linking fans to the petition. Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, and Jayson Tatum publicly backed the demand for Griner’s return. Reddit+12WBBH+12FOX 26 Houston+12

🔍 Why 100 Days Shapes the Movement

This moment isn’t symbolic—it’s strategic.

Passport to leverage: Griner has become a highly visible national figure whose wrongful imprisonment intersects sports, diplomacy, and international law.

Amplify urgency: The 100-day marker serves as a powerful focal point for mobilization—athletes and media used hashtags like #WeAreBG to push viral engagement.

Pressure U.S. decision-makers: Griner’s detention amid escalating U.S.–Russia tensions over Ukraine places diplomatic weight on her case. Public attention helps push negotiations. RedditWBBH+4SI+4WBBH+4WBBH+5thehill.com+5Reddit+5

Moreover, the WNBPA explicitly framed her detainment as a broader issue of pay equity and safety for women athletes forced to play overseas. They emphasized many must risk playing abroad to supplement incomes. thehill.comz🧠 WNBA’s 100-Day Statement: A Rallying Cry

The league’s officially released transcript reads like a manifesto:

“Brittney Griner is our teammate… record‑breaker, gold medalist… a champion, a role model… right now, Bob is an American citizen who has been wrongfully detained in Russia for 100 days. That’s 144,000 minutes… we know that speaking up together … is game, life and world‑changing.”

They directly appeal to athletes: “Sign the petition, hold media blackout… Help us reach the White House.”

To media: “Write BG’s story. Use your platform.”

To the public: “Go to WeAreBG.org, sign petition, call the White House. If you know someone in the Biden Administration, CALL THEM.” Yahoo Thể Thao+5WBBH+5Reddit+5

The league also insisted on the importance of a Presidential meeting with Cherelle Griner: “Cherelle NEEDS to meet with President Biden.” Yahoo Thể Thao+3WBBH+3TheGrio+3

🧾 Responses, Reactions & Risks

Some fans and commentators have questioned the symbolism of petitions, arguing Russia may see it as pressure leverage. Others supported saturation advocacy as necessary given Griner’s visibility. Reddit threads ranged from sincere solidarity to skepticism about Russia’s motives. RedditReddit

Still, U.S. officials publicly affirmed: Griner’s release is a top priority, negotiations are ongoing, and every tool is being deployed—though most behind closed doors. wnba.com+13WBBH+13Reddit+13

📉 Griner’s Case in the Legislative & Diplomatic Landscape

Griner’s situation unfolded during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making her detention part of broader geopolitical maneuvers. Washington officials reportedly refused previous prisoner-swap offers involving arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death.” The global community fears a potential trade of Griner for Bout. WBBH+7SI+7Reddit+7

Despite reluctance, public and political pressure continues to push U.S. leadership to escalate diplomatic efforts.