Safe At Home, WNBA Star Griner Now Working To Get Others Home, As Well
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 03:05PM By Barry Janoff
April 28, 2023: WNBA Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, back in the U.S. since December after being detained for ten months in Russia, has unveiled a partnership with the Mercury and the Bring Our Families Home campaign “to raise awareness, call others to action and support those impacted by wrongful detainment in other nations.”
Formed in 2022 by the family members of American hostages and wrongful detainees held overseas, the campaign “urges the White House to take immediate and decisive action to bring detainees home and provide resources for detainees’ families.”
Griner unveiled the alliance as part of her first Mercury media conference since being home.
”I was aware of the efforts and everything that was going on,” said Griner during her Mercury media conference.
”I know people were fighting for me and bringing awareness. That made me more comfortable there, and meant I had hope, which is a hard, dangerous thing to have because when it doesn’t work, it’s so crushing.”
A mural on the west side of Footprint Center, the team’s home arena, features the face of Griner “and more than a dozen detained individuals, some of whom have been held captive for more than a decade.”
The Mercury said they would incorporate in-game PSAs and social media content to "keep the names and stories of those detained top-of-mind."
The Bring Our Families Home logo will be affixed to the Mercury’s home court when the team begins its 2023 season, replacing the “BG42” mark near center court that was installed last season.
According to the Mercury, the 30-foot-wide painting features a QR code that directs people to the Bring Our Families Home Web site.
Later this season, people will also be able to visit a dedicated hub on the Mercury's Web site to learn more about each individual and how to get involved in the cause.
The hub will continue to be populated throughout the 2023 season with news and updates on the coalition’s efforts.
Griner and the Mercury said they would host families and friends of wrongful detainees at Mercury games in Phoenix and around the country when the team visits other markets.
She is also working on a book detailing her experiences in Russia, scheduled for release next spring from Alfred A. Knopf.
“We’re not going to stop fighting and we are not going to stop bringing awareness to everyone that’s left behind right now,” said Griner.
Griner’s first home game since 2021 is May 21, Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury, ESPN 4 PM (ET).
Photos: Phoenix Mercury
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