Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball star with an estimated net worth of $5 million.
Widely regarded as one of the most dominant players in the history of women’s basketball, Griner redefined the sport with her rare blend of height, strength, skill, and defensive brilliance.
Standing at 6-foot-9, she brought a level of rim protection and scoring efficiency previously unseen in the women’s game.
After an exceptional collegiate career at Baylor University—highlighted by an NCAA championship and three All-American honors—Griner was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
Since turning professional, she has collected numerous accolades, including multiple WNBA All-Star appearances, a WNBA championship in 2014, Olympic gold medals, and a reputation as one of the league’s most feared shot blockers.
Although WNBA salaries have historically been limited, with Griner’s annual pay topping out at roughly $228,000, she significantly increased her earnings through high-paying overseas contracts, particularly in Russia, where she reportedly earned up to $1 million per season.
Beyond basketball, Griner’s cultural impact has been profound. Her highly publicized detention in Russia in 2022, followed by a diplomatic prisoner exchange, brought global attention to her story.
As an openly gay athlete, she has also been a pioneering figure for LGBTQ+ representation in sports, securing landmark endorsement deals and using her platform to advocate for social change.
Salary & Career Earnings
As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Griner entered the league on a four-year rookie contract worth just over $200,000 in total.
She later signed a contract extension valued at approximately $554,000, followed by a three-year deal worth $644,544, which ran through the 2022 season.
Despite being one of the league’s most dominant players, Griner’s WNBA salary peaked at about $228,000 during the 2022 campaign. Over more than a decade in the league, her total WNBA earnings are estimated at around $1.5 million.
The true financial driver of her career, however, has been her international play. During the 2013–14 season, Griner earned $600,000 in just four months with China’s Zhejiang club—more than ten times her WNBA rookie salary.
She later became a cornerstone player for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg, where she reportedly earned close to $1 million per season. These lucrative overseas contracts underscore why many elite WNBA players compete abroad during the offseason.
Endorsements
Off the court, Brittney Griner has secured several major endorsement deals that have substantially increased her income.
Shortly after her rookie season, she signed a groundbreaking $1 million contract with Nike, making history as the first openly gay athlete endorsed by the brand.
Over the years, she has also collaborated with prominent companies such as Gatorade and Beats by Dre, further enhancing her commercial appeal.
In 2023, Griner signed an exclusive partnership with Puma, becoming the face of its women’s basketball line.
The deal is widely regarded as the largest shoe endorsement contract ever awarded to a female basketball player, cementing her influence both as an athlete and a cultural icon.
Early Life And High School
Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, and is the youngest of four children.
She attended Nimitz High School, where her extraordinary athletic potential quickly became evident. In addition to basketball, she played varsity volleyball as a freshman.
During her senior year, Griner led the Nimitz Cougars to the Texas 5A state championship game. She finished the season with an astonishing 52 dunks, including a single-game record of seven, and set a national high school record with 318 blocked shots in one season.
Her dominance earned her WBCA All-American honors and established her as one of the most highly touted recruits in the country.
Collegiate Career
Griner continued her rise to stardom at Baylor University, where she played for the Lady Bears. As a freshman, she shattered records by tallying 223 blocked shots, instantly asserting herself as a defensive force.
She also recorded Baylor’s first-ever triple-double and became one of only a handful of women to dunk in a collegiate game.
Her postseason performances were equally historic, including an NCAA Tournament record of 14 blocks in a single game.
As a sophomore, she earned First-Team All-American honors, and as a junior, she was named AP Player of the Year after leading Baylor to a national championship and a perfect 40–0 season, the first in NCAA history.
Griner concluded her college career in 2013, leaving Baylor as one of the most decorated players the program has ever produced.
Phoenix Mercury Career
Selected first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, Griner made an immediate impact.
In her professional debut, she tied the WNBA career dunk record, signaling the arrival of a generational talent. She averaged three blocks per game as a rookie and continued to elevate her performance in subsequent seasons.
In 2014, Griner helped lead the Mercury to a 29–5 regular-season record, the best in league history, and a dominant sweep in the WNBA Finals to secure the championship.
Over the next several seasons, she consistently led the league in blocks, set playoff records, and emerged as one of the WNBA’s top scorers.
Her standout 2017 season saw her average 21.9 points per game, finishing as the league’s scoring leader.
Despite injuries and a shortened 2020 season, Griner remained a cornerstone of the Mercury, guiding the team to the WNBA Finals in 2021.
Offseason Playing Overseas
During the WNBA offseason, Griner routinely competed internationally. Her most notable stints came with China’s Zhejiang Golden Bulls and Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg, where she won multiple championships.
These overseas commitments not only elevated her global profile but also accounted for a significant portion of her career earnings.
US National Team
Griner has been a key contributor to the United States women’s national basketball team, winning Olympic gold medals at the 2016 Rio Games and the 2020 Tokyo Games.
She also captured gold at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2014 and 2018, further solidifying her legacy on the international stage.
Russian Arrest
In early 2022, Griner was detained at a Moscow airport after authorities alleged hash oil was found in her luggage, a substance illegal under Russian law.
Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, her case drew worldwide attention. She later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.
On December 8, 2022, Griner was released as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia, bringing an end to nearly ten months of detention.
Personal Life
Brittney Griner publicly came out as lesbian in 2013 and has since been a prominent advocate for authenticity and inclusion in sports.
She has consistently challenged traditional gender norms, including through her fashion choices and endorsement campaigns.
Griner was previously married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson, with the marriage ending in divorce in 2016.
In 2019, she married Cherelle Watson, who played a visible role in advocating for her release during her detention abroad.
FAQ
Did Brittney Griner win an Olympic gold medal?
Yes, Brittney Griner won Olympic gold medals with Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
What team drafted Brittney Griner?
Brittney Griner was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
How did Brittney Griner make money outside basketball?
Beyond basketball salaries, Griner earns income through endorsements, brand partnerships, public appearances, and advocacy-related projects.