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Brittney Griner’s homecoming underlines WNBA’s perpetual offseason struggle

Brittney Griner was arrested in February while traveling to join her Russian club, UMMC Ekaterinburg. (BSR Agency/Getty Images)

After 294 days in Russian custody, Brittney Griner began her journey home Thursday.

With Griner safely on her way back to the United States, the focus for WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA shifts to supporting the 32-year-old and her family – and to ensuring that Griner’s ordeal doesn’t happen again.

The Phoenix Mercury center was released in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout after months in custody and “painstaking and intense negotiations,” President Joe Biden announced Thursday.

Engelbert learned earlier in the week that negotiations were “intensifying” and that a “solution might be on the table,” but she didn’t feel any relief until she heard the news this morning, she told reporters Thursday.

“A deal is not done until it actually gets executed and transacted,” she said. “So it wasn’t until this morning that we really knew that Brittney was actually on a plane, coming to the United States.”

Griner was arrested in February while traveling to rejoin her Russian club. Prior to her detainment, she had spent eight seasons with UMMC Ekaterinburg, winning the Russian Championship every year.

Despite Griner’s plight, the draw of international leagues remains strong for players, even as the WNBA tries to keep them in the United State in the offseason.

For years, WNBA players have headed overseas in the offseason to make up for the U.S. league’s low salaries and short season. Russia became a popular destination for many players due to the high salaries its teams can offer. The maximum salary a player could make in the WNBA in 2022 was $196,267, while players can make a million dollars or more in Russia.

High-profile players including Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi all have spent time with UMMC Ekaterinburg in seasons past.

Griner’s detainment highlighted the offseason struggle for WNBA players, some of whom choose to put their safety on the line to provide for themselves and their families. Countries such as Russia can be particularly dangerous for women, the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.

The WNBA is increasing its slate of games in hopes of also increasing salaries and benefits, Engelbert said. During the 2023 season, each team will play a record 40 contests.

The league also will have a prioritization rule starting with the 2023 season, which will require players to report to their team by the start of training camp or by May 1, whichever is later. If they miss the start of training camp, they will be fined. If they miss the start of the regular season, they will be suspended for the year.

“We have to build an economic model,” Engelbert said. “We are only 26 years young. We aren’t 75, or 100 or 110 like some of the men’s leagues are. So we are working on that and studying history. We are building rivalries. We are building household names.”

Players do have opportunities to expand their careers in the United States during the offseason, Engelbert said. She cited marketing campaigns and broadcasting deals as two options.

But if athletes still choose to play overseas, it’s important that they know the risks, the commissioner said.

“I think our players are going to do what they think is best for themselves and their families,” she said. “But we definitely inform them all the time of the security risks of where they might be playing.”

Some WNBA players who do choose to stay in the United States in the offseason have to get creative. After all, marketing and broadcast opportunities aren’t available to everyone, particularly for younger players or role players who may not have the same name recognition as established stars.

For example, Chiney Ogwumike works as a commentator for ESPN, and A’ja Wilson has an advertising gig with Ruffles. But young Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald is spending the offseason as Director of Recruiting Operations at her alma mater Arizona.

Players in need of options could look into offseason opportunities that prepare them for “life after basketball,” Engelbert said.

“There are also internship opportunities that aren’t part of big marketing agreements like the stars might get or endorsements from corporations,” she said. “But there are internship opportunities to hone their skill set for what they do in life after basketball.”

That is one of the reasons she took the commissioner job, Engelbert said. Her goal is to set players up to be able to pursue other work opportunities when their playing careers are over.

“We need to do a better job as a League of placing them in internships and apprenticeships for their skill sets,” she said, citing Nike as a company that has given opportunities to former players. “Now, they’re focusing on playing basketball during their young years, but not everybody’s body is going to hold up like Sue Bird’s did for 20 years.

“We are providing more and more opportunities, should the players want to take those opportunities.”

Engelbert added that she understands the difficulty of convincing players to do something other than play basketball because of the passion they have for the game.

‘The Late Sub’ Digs Into the Injury Report for NWSL and USWNT Star Trinity Rodman

A close-up profile of USWNT star Trinity Rodman looking out on the 2024 Olympic pitch.
Spirit star Trinity Rodman is away from the NWSL indefinitely with an ongoing back injury. (Harriet Lander - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the newly reported indefinite absence of NWSL star Trinity Rodman from the Washington Spirit, with the 22-year-old attacker rehabbing an ongoing back injury that could reshape the prospects of both the Spirit and the USWNT.

Calling her "the face of the NWSL," Watkins details the Spirit star's long-term back injury, which has led Rodman to seek treatment with a team doctor in London — all while acknowledging that she doesn't think her "back will ever be 100%."

Watkins digs into the potential contributing factors to Rodman's current injury status, including the USWNT's heavy use of the forward during the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning run in Paris — and whether the team will make different decisions going forward due to the fallout on players like Rodman.

"I'm really curious if [USWNT manager Emma] Hayes and her coaching staff will adjust the way they approach strikers in the future, or forwards in the future, or rotation — or if this is just one of those many stories of a player giving it all for the United States and living with the consequences," says Watkins.

As for Washington, Watkins note that — in the wake of copious injuries — the Spirit is still finding ways to win, with club owner Michele Kang and the coaching staff shrewdly managing the depleted roster.

"I think they would be a juggernaut if they were healthy, but they can win pretty, they can win ugly," notes Watkins.

'An NWSL breaking point'

Watkins also points out that she thinks Rodman's choice to seek treatment in London could be significant, as the forward is currently in a contract year.

With multiple NWSL standouts recently defecting to European clubs, Watkins argues that the US league is hitting a "breaking point" when it comes to retaining top players.

"I am just really, really curious if, by the end of this season, this situation has led Rodman back to the Spirit or if this is the beginning of a player having to progress forward in a different environment," Watkins sums up.

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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Mid-Table Contenders Square Off in Sixth NWSL Matchday

Seattle's Ainsley McCammon and Ana-Maria Crnogorevic warm up before a 2025 NWSL match.
Coming off a big win against Portland, the Seattle Reign face a key mid-table matchup this weekend. (Steph Chambers/NWSL via Getty Images)

There's a traffic jam in the middle of the NWSL standings, with this weekend's slate bound to create some distance among mid-table teams jockeying to break free from the pack.

Between rising underdogs and top-dog rivalries, expect the 2025 NWSL season's sixth matchday to leave it all on the field:

  • No. 10 Houston Dash vs. No. 11 Utah Royals, Friday at 8 PM ET (NWSL+): Tied up at four points apiece, the pair of struggling teams just below playoff contention on the NWSL table will battle for a boost above the cutoff line as the recently sold Royals take a trip to Texas on Friday.
  • No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 4 Gotham FC, Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS): This week's top-table showdown features two injury-struck East Coast rivals getting rowdy at Audi — can Gotham turn things around or will Washington keep persevering?
  • No. 9 Bay FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Saturday at 10 PM ET (ION): Seattle holds a slim tie-break over Bay FC as both teams hug the playoff line, with the Reign looking to build on last week’s Cascadia Clash victory over Portland.

This weekend has the potential to divide the contenders from the pretenders, while the league's top three clubs continue to hold court over the rest of the field.

Spirit, Gotham Stoke East Coast Rivalry Flames in Saturday NWSL Matchup

Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury makes a save against East Coast rival Gotham during the 2024 NWSL semifinals.
The Washington Spirit knocked East Coast rival Gotham out of the 2024 NWSL Playoffs. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Saturday's soccer lineup underlines a brewing East Coast rivalry, as the Washington Spirit hosts Gotham FC for the first time since knocking the Bats out of the 2024 NWSL semifinals.

"Just playing against them, you feel that fire," Spirit forward Makenna Morris told JWS this week, with Washington's Audi Field anticipating a large crowd for Saturday's match.

Both clubs know each other well, with 2021 NWSL champions Washington and 2023 trophy-winners Gotham seeing a number of big-name players migrating between New York and DC in recent years.

After finishing 2024 in the league's top four, both teams continue to lurk near the top of NWSL table this season, cementing the idea that the best rivalries blossom between winning sides.

"The [team] that poses the most challenge to you, it just makes you want to beat them so bad," said Washington midfielder Gabby Carle.

"You hate to play them because they're good, but you also love it because it's so competitive," echoed Morris.

Ultimately, familiarity is breeding healthy resentment between two of the NWSL's winningest sides, providing a little extra incentive to secure all three points in this weekend’s matchup.

How to watch NWSL rivals Washington vs. Gotham this weekend

The Spirit will host East Coast rival Gotham at 1 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage of the 2024 NWSL semifinals rematch airing on CBS.

WSL Clubs Fight for Survival in Champions League Semifinals

Barcelona's Claudia Pina celebrates her goal by pointing at teammate Alexia Putellas during their first-leg 2024/25 Champions League semifinal win over Chelsea.
Chelsea will attempt to overcome a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona on Sunday. (Ruben De La Rosa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As the 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) wraps up its two-leg semifinals on Sunday, the English teams still in the running find themselves on the brink of elimination from Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Facing a 4-1 deficit against reigning champs Barcelona, Chelsea will aim to close the gap — and keep their historic quadruple hopes alive — at home this weekend.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will try to overcome a more manageable 2-1 deficit against eight-time Champions League winners Lyon, traveling to France to keep their UWCL campaign alive.

An English side hasn't won the UWCL since 2007, when Arsenal took home the WSL's lone European championship trophy.

"Huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League, in Europe," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said of Lyon. "I think they're still a very strong side."

"Subconsciously, you always have that thing when you fall short, like last year," said Lyon midfielder and USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps, reflecting back on last season’s title loss to Barcelona. "You lose a game, you lose a tournament – the feeling is there until you're back in the the games that can fix that feeling."

How to watch the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals

Sunday's second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals kicks off with Chelsea vs. Barcelona at 9 AM ET, before Arsenal faces Lyon at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.

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