Arr! Me hearties, Brittney Griner be joinin' forces with Disney and ESPN to spin tales o' Russia imprisonment!
2023-12-10
Arr, me hearties! WNBA star Brittney Griner hath joined forces with ESPN and Disney to unleash ventures that doth recount her captivity in Russia yon past year. Savvy?
WNBA star Brittney Griner has partnered with Disney and ESPN to share her story of being imprisoned in Russia. The partnership includes a documentary, an exclusive interview with ABC, and a possible scripted series on her detainment.Griner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her story, stating that the past two years have been transformative and illuminating for her.
Her wife, Cherelle, also praised the support they received from ESPN, ABC, and Disney throughout the detainment and afterwards. Cherelle will serve as an executive producer on the projects.
Griner was arrested in February 2022 at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after cannabis oil was found in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
In a controversial prisoner exchange, Griner was traded for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death," was serving a 25-year sentence for conspiracy to kill Americans.
Some Americans criticized the exchange, arguing that too much was given up for Griner. Griner had previously faced criticism for her stance on the national anthem, but she has since changed her position.
Griner has recently played for Team USA in exhibition games against women's college basketball teams. The exchange also drew criticism for not including Paul Whelan, a U.S. Marine veteran convicted of espionage charges he denies.