BRITTNEY GRINER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO RETURN TO WNBA

Brittney Griner intends to return the WNBA, but special arrangements will reportedly be required in the aftermath of her Russian prison ordeal. Across the league, it has been assumed Griner will need to travel on chartered planes to minimise security risks after she was detained in Russia last year.

The 32-year-old – an eight-time WNBA All-Star – was arrested at an airport 11 months ago after a small amount of hashish oil was discovered in her luggage, leading her to be wrongly detained for nine months before she was finally released in a prisoner swap.

Griner has indicated she wants to return to the Phoenix Mercury, but her experience could force significant changes to regulations for all teams in the league.

WNBA teams are banned from flying privately because the cost is prohibitive for many franchises and the requirement to fly commercially levels the playing field.

But the heightened security risks for Griner following her imprisonment by the Putin regime make it unfeasible to travel on commercial flights, and there are concerns about fairness for other franchises if her teammates are allowed to fly with her. However, ESPN reports league sources say Griner is yet to officially request “special travel accommodations”.