WNBA star Brittney Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, after six years of marriage. The petition for dissolution of marriage was filed in Maricopa County, Arizona, according to court records first reported by multiple outlets. The filing marks a significant shift in the couple’s status, occurring nearly two years after Brittney Griner’s return to the United States following her high-profile detention in Russia.
The couple, who were married in June 2019, have maintained a high-profile presence in the public eye, particularly during the 2022 campaign to secure Brittney Griner’s release from the IK-2 penal colony in Mordovia. Cherelle Griner served as a primary advocate during the negotiations, frequently appearing on national news programs and meeting with government officials to lobby for a prisoner swap. According to public records from the Maricopa County Superior Court, the divorce petition was submitted in late 2024, initiating the legal process to dissolve their union.
Legal Status and Public Statements
As of this week, neither Brittney nor Cherelle Griner has issued a detailed public statement regarding the specific reasons behind the filing. In legal proceedings of this nature, filings are often accompanied by requests for privacy, though the documents themselves remain a matter of public record in Arizona. The dissolution of marriage petition follows a period of transition for the couple, who had publicly celebrated their reunion in December 2022 after Brittney Griner was released in a prisoner exchange involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of State.
The couple’s marriage has been subject to intense public scrutiny due to the international nature of Brittney Griner’s legal troubles. Following her arrest in February 2022 at Sheremetyevo International Airport for possession of cannabis oil—a substance for which she stated she had a prescription—the couple navigated the complexities of international diplomacy. Cherelle Griner’s advocacy was widely cited by the Biden administration as a vital component in keeping the case at the forefront of the national conversation, according to reporting by Reuters.
Context of the Relationship
Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and long-time center for the Phoenix Mercury, and Cherelle Griner, an attorney, have been a prominent couple in the sports world since their wedding in 2019. Their relationship faced extreme pressure during the ten months Brittney spent in Russian custody. Upon her return, the couple expressed a focus on rebuilding their lives and private time, with Brittney Griner returning to the WNBA court for the 2023 season.
The divorce filing comes during a period where Brittney Griner has been active in professional basketball, having signed a one-year contract extension with the Phoenix Mercury in May 2024, as noted in official WNBA transaction records. The legal separation highlights the end of a partnership that was defined, for the public, by the intense advocacy effort required to bring the athlete home.
What Happens Next in the Proceedings
The filing in Maricopa County Superior Court initiates a standard legal process involving the division of assets and, if applicable, spousal support agreements. Under Arizona law, divorce proceedings require a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date the respondent is served before a court can finalize a decree of dissolution. The court will oversee the scheduling of any necessary hearings or mediation sessions to address the terms of the separation.
Observers of the case are looking toward potential filings in the coming months for clarity on the timeline of the proceedings. As the legal process moves through the Arizona court system, the parties involved are expected to manage the dissolution through their respective legal representatives. Comments and public discourse regarding this development remain subject to the couple’s discretion as they navigate this personal transition.
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