What is Brittney Griner's contract with Phoenix Mercury? Looking at WNBA star's salary, contract length, and more after release from Russia

Brittney Griner will officially return to the WNBA next season. after signing a one-year deal to stay with the Phoenix Mercury. Griner did not play last season after being detained in Russia for almost 10 months.

According to ESPN, Griner's salary for the upcoming 2023 WNBA season will be $165,100. She previously had an average annual salary of $221,515 from 2020 to 2022. She has been a part of the Mercury since 2013 when she was drafted first overall out of Baylor.

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"It's a great day for all of us to announce that Brittney Griner has officially signed to play for the Mercury in 2023," Mercury generala Jim Pitman said in a statement. "We missed BG every day that she was gone and, while basketball was not our primary concern, her presence on the floor, in our locker room, around our organization, and within our community was greatly missed.

"We will continue to use the resources of our organization to support her, on and off the floor, and we are thrilled for her that she gets to return to basketball, which she loves so dearly. This is a special signing and today is a special day for all of us."

Brittney Griner was released from Russian custody in a prisoner exchange back on December 8. She was traded for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, but some were unhappy that US veteran Paul Whelan was not included in the deal.

Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, 2022 at a Russian airport after officials found cartridges containing hash oil. She was detained by authorities and charged with drug trafficking. She was found guilty six months later and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

The 32-year-old WNBA star was even transferred to a Russian penal colony in November, spending about a month in rough conditions.

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Brittney Griner career retrospective

Brittney Griner at the 2014 WNBA Finals

Brittney Griner is one of the greatest WNBA players of all time. She's part of the league's 25th Anniversary team and a one-time WNBA champion. She's also an eight-time All-Star and a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Griner has led the league in blocks eight times and in scoring twice. She also had a very successful collegiate and international career. She won an NCAA championship with Baylor in 2012, and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

The 32-year-old is even an accomplished player overseas in Russia. She's a three-time Russian National League champion and a four-time EuroLeague winner for UMMC Ekaterinburg.

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