WNBA star Brittney Griner and her Phoneix Mercury teammates were the targets of harassment at an airport by a right-wing social media “provocateur,” reports ESPN.
According to the report, the incident took place around 9:30 AM CT on Saturday, June 10, 2023, while Griner and the Mercury were at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport en route to another game.
Alex Stein, a Blaze Media YouTube personality and a native of Dallas who has a reputation for confronting politicians shared a photo on Twitter saying, "I just met my favorite WNBA player. Video coming soon."
In the confrontation, Stein was heard yelling that Griner was “the Merchant of Death.” Eventually, he was tackled, and apprehended by law enforcement.
Brianna Turner, Griner's teammate shared on Twitter just how unsafe the entire team felt during the confrontation.
"Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront. People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable. Excessive harassment. Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about. We demand better," Turner's tweet read.
In a statement, the WNBA said they are investigating the matter and that player safety is a priority.
"As we gather additional information about today's incident at the Dallas airport, it has come to our attention that this was orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur. His actions were inappropriate and unfortunate," the statement read. "The safety of Brittney Griner and all WNBA players is our top priority. Prior to the season, the WNBA worked together with the Phoenix Mercury and BG's team to ensure her safety during her travel, which included charter flights for WNBA games and assigned security personnel with her at all times. We remain steadfastly committed to the highest standards of security for players."
The Mercury also released a statement about the unfortunate incident.
"We are reviewing the incident that took place today at the Dallas airport. The health and well-being of our players and staff are our top priority and we will always take every step within our power to protect player safety," the Mercury's statement read.
"We are committed to our support of BG and advocating for all American hostages abroad. We will continue our support of marginalized communities and fighting the kind of hate that targeted us today. No one, regardless of identity, should ever fear for their safety. We will be coordinating with the WNBA on the next steps," the statement continued.
In December 2022, Griner was released from Russian imprisonment in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout also known as the “Merchant of Death."
Before the prisoner swap, she was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined 1 million rubles, which is $16,400 for carrying hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow.
