“The 36-game schedule will provide fans greater opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said when the schedule was announced in December.īefore Griner’s arrest the Mercury made many moves in the offseason to put the team in contention to win another championship after losing to Chicago last season in the Finals. Teams will play a record 36 games this year.
It will appear on the home court of all 12 teams starting with Friday’s season openers.
The league plans to honor Griner and keep her ongoing situation front and center with a floor decal that will feature her initials along with her number 42. Griner’s status has been changed to “wrongfully detained” and she has a hearing scheduled for May 19.īut Griner’s presence will be felt even in her absence. Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The Mercury’s All-Star center remains in Russia after being detained following her arrival at a Moscow airport on Feb. There is no bigger headline engulfing the league than Griner.
NEW YORK (AP) - The WNBA will begin its 26th season this weekend with several intriguing storylines, including the potential retirement of Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles, the return of Becky Hammon as a coach and the absence of Brittney Griner.
