Brittney Griner Officially Returns to Phoenix Mercury — But at a Major Pay Cut

After a harrowing year overseas, Brittney Griner is back with the Phoenix Mercury for the 2023 WNBA season. However, her return came at a substantial cost: a 32% salary reduction, down to $165,100 from the nearly $235,000 she was eligible for under a supermax contract. This financial sacrifice was pivotal in allowing the Mercury to bring back WNBA legend Diana Taurasi and round out their roster for another title push. Reddit+13Business Insider+13Benzinga+13

1. The Official Announcement

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Phoenix Mercury made it official: Griner had signed a one‑year deal for the 2023 season. General Manager Jim Pitman celebrated her return, stating:

“Today is a great day for all of us as we announce Brittney Griner has officially signed to play for the Mercury in 2023… Her presence on the court, in the locker room, in our organization, and in the community has been deeply missed.” Business Insider+4CNN Quốc Tế+4PBS+4

President Vince Kozar echoed the significance of her return, calling it a moment in sports and American history — and pledging ongoing support “on and off the floor” for BG. Business Insider+3Business Insider+3Her Agenda+3

2. A Shockingly Deep Pay Cut

According to Spotrac, Griner will earn $165,100 for the season — approximately 32% less than her previous salary and far below the $234,936 supermax she was eligible for. en.wikipedia.org+15Business Insider+15Business Insider+15

This wasn’t a matter of salary cap limits so much as unselfish choice. Sources told Business Insider that Griner willingly accepted the reduction as a gesture of goodwill to help Mercury build a more competitive team, particularly to accommodate amicable negotiations with Taurasi. Business Insider+5Business Insider Nederland+5thecomeback.com+5

3. Why It Matters: Roster Flexibility & Taurasi’s Return

Thanks to Griner commanding less than 15% of Phoenix’s salary cap, the Mercury were able to re-sign Diana Taurasi — the franchise’s all-time scoring leader — while filling remaining roster slots with other free agents. Her Agenda+6Business Insider+6Business Insider Nederland+6

This was critical because, under WNBA rules, Phoenix already had Skylar Diggins‑Smith on a supermax contract. They could only offer one supermax to either Taurasi or Griner—Griner’s willingness to step back financially paved the way for Taurasi’s historic return. thespun.com+3Business Insider Nederland+3Business Insider+3

4. Griner’s Emotional and Symbolic Return

Griner missed nearly 10 months of WNBA play after being wrongfully detained in Russia in early 2022 on drug charges. Her release came through a prisoner swap that saw Viktor Bout, a convicted arms trafficker, returned to Russia in exchange. PBS+8Business Insider+8en.wikipedia.org+8

Once home, she made clear her intention to return to basketball with the Mercury:

“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season… and to say ‘thank you’ to all who advocated, wrote, and posted for me.” CNN Quốc Tế+1PBS+1Axios+3Business Insider+3CNN Quốc Tế+3

At a team shoot-around, she made her return known to the locker room with the defiant declaration: “I’m back MF!!” Business Insider

5. The Financial and Cultural Context

WNBA salaries remain modest by professional standards. While NBA players earn millions, even supermax WNBA stars make under $250,000 in base salary. For salary-cap purposes, team salaries are limited to just $1‑2 million in total. thecomeback.comBusiness Insider Nederland

Many female stars played overseas during the offseason to compensate. Griner and Taurasi reportedly earned over $1 million annually playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia. businessinsider.in+1Benzinga+1

By voluntarily accepting a pay cut, Griner shifted from high-earner overseas to a lower-paying contract with her home team, but helped preserve salary cap flexibility and demonstrated strong team loyalty. thecomeback.comBusiness Insider Nederland

6. A Club’s Strategy & Legacy Work

President Kozar emphasized that Mercury’s commitment transcends basketball alone. The organization also engaged in legacy work — sending letters to Americans still detained in Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan. Business Insider+1Them+1

They found this moment more than a basketball signing—a symbolic statement in support of justice and advocacy. Business Insider

7. What It Means for Women’s Basketball

A. Spotlight on Pay Inequality

Griner’s case crystalizes how gender pay inequities force elite WNBA players to depend on risky overseas contracts. Even a supermax salary at home falls far short of what players historically earned overseas. thecomeback.comBusiness Insider Nederland

B. Team-First Mentality

Her decision illustrates a shifting ethos among WNBA stars: stardom doesn’t preclude sacrifice. For the sake of team competitiveness—especially in small, tightly capped leagues—selflessness becomes strategic. Business Insider Nederlandthecomeback.com

C. Long-Term Player-Organization Loyalty

Griner returned to the Mercury despite lucrative overseas alternatives. That loyalty may influence future contract culture—legacy over dollars, especially in pivotal comeback seasons.

8. The Comeback: What Happened on Court

Griner’s comeback season began on May 19, 2023, against the Sparks, followed by her long-awaited home opener two days later. Mercury President Kozar called it one of the most emotional moments in his career. Business InsiderBusiness Insider

She appeared in 31 of 40 games, posting averages of 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, earning an All-Star starter nod. en.wikipedia.org

Despite her return, Phoenix struggled—finishing last in the league (9–31) and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012. en.wikipedia.org

9. Final Reflection

Brittney Griner’s 2023 contract represents far more than numbers. It’s a testament to:

Her resilience, returning from wrongful detainment and incarceration.

Her loyalty, choosing team over maximum personal gain.

Her influence, helping a franchise reset its roster strategically.

The ongoing struggle for equal pay in women’s basketball.

Griner may have accepted a sizable (~32%) drop in salary, but in doing so, she reshaped narratives around sacrifice, leadership, and legacy both on and off the court.