Phoenix Mercury make travel ‘adjustments’ following airport incident with Brittney Griner

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Phoenix Mercury Takes Travel Measures Following Airport Incident with Brittney Griner

Vanessa Nygaard, coach of the Phoenix Mercury, had a clear objective before their game on Sunday: ensuring the safety and security of her team’s traveling parties. In response to an incident involving Brittney Griner, the team’s center, who was confronted by an individual at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Nygaard, along with the coaches and several players, suggested implementing more charter flights to avoid any future encounters with outsiders.

“We are committed to the safety of our players, organization, and staff,” Nygaard stated. “We acknowledge the need for travel adjustments that should have been in place earlier, but at this moment, our priority is to ensure the well-being of our players. We appreciate the support from the organization in this matter.”

Nygaard began her pregame address by expressing support for Griner and concern for everyone who made the trip to Indy. While she refrained from disclosing specific details about Phoenix’s revised plans for future road trips due to league policy and team safety protocols, she assured that adjustments had already been made.

The controversy arose from a 93-second video posted by Alex Stein, who verbally confronted Griner. The video captured Stein questioning Griner on various topics, ranging from her feelings towards America to the fairness of a trade for a Russian prisoner that secured her release after a 10-month detention on drug charges in Russia. Griner chose not to respond to Stein and has not made any public statements regarding the airport incident. However, it is expected that she will address the matter with reporters after Sunday’s game.

“No one should experience targeted harassment,” Nygaard emphasized. “We are thankful that our team and staff are physically unharmed, and most importantly, I am grateful that BG has been back in the United States for 185 days now. If her return home upsets some individuals, it speaks more about them than it does about her.”

Griner has received a warm reception from crowds both at home and on the road throughout the season. During her recent games in Texas, her home state, and in Indianapolis on Sunday, she was greeted with the loudest ovation among opponents during player introductions.

Ensuring Griner’s security has been a concern since before the start of the season, prompting discussions between league officials, Mercury representatives, and Griner’s team about the best ways to protect her and her teammates. The league granted Griner permission to arrange her own charter flights, and for this year’s playoffs, charter flights were added for all teams, along with a few regular-season games scheduled for such flights. Since the WNBA’s inception in 1997, teams have typically flown commercially during the regular season.

However, the incident on Saturday may prompt the league to reevaluate this issue.

“Obviously, no one wants to deal with such situations, especially while on a business trip,” said Phoenix center Brianna Turner, noting that the players were escorted to a more private area in the airport. “As representatives of the league, the city of Phoenix, and our organization, we don’t want to cause a scene or engage in any confrontations during such times.”

Across the league, the response to the incident was almost unanimous. Breanna Stewart, a member of the players’ union executive committee, expressed support for Griner flying privately. “Extra precautionary measures need to be taken,” Stewart stated. “I believe that everyone supports BG having charter flights whenever necessary to ensure her comfort, safety, and peace of mind. We want to prevent incidents like yesterday’s from happening.”

Emma Cannon, a longtime friend and former teammate of Griner, expressed her anger regarding the incident, as Griner is also the godparent of Cannon’s son. “I must admit, I was furious,” said the Fever forward. “Seeing a portion of the video was deeply upsetting, especially since it was her first time flying commercially with the team in such circumstances.”

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AP basketball writer Doug Feinberg in New York contributed to this report.

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AP sports: https://bigbignews.net/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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