And unless that changes, players offered a better opportunity elsewhere may be tempted to pursue it, despite the risks. Griner, a 31-year-old WNBA star, headed to Russia to play basketball every winter — reportedly paying a $1 million U.S. salary, more than four times what she made back home. Matt Slan, founder and CEO of Slan Sports Management, a Toronto-based company that represents basketball players, told CBC News that Griner’s story seems likely to serve as “a harsh warning sign” to other athletes, but not necessarily as a complete deterrent to the game. in similar authoritarian jurisdictions. In Russia this week, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession. The highest levels of the US government say they are actively fighting for her release. As wealthy nations from Russia to China to Saudi Arabia seek to expand their footprints in professional sports, the lure of high salaries is likely to continue to draw some athletes from the democracies, businessmen said, despite Griner’s jailing. WATCHES | 9 years in prison for Griner:
Basketball star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in prison in Russia for drugs
WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for drug possession and smuggling – a politically charged move denounced by US President Joe Biden. Griner’s sentence was combined with the drug possession and smuggling conviction — related to the vaping cartridges containing cannabis oil that were found in her luggage. He told a Russian court that he collected them by mistake. “It’s extremely unfortunate what’s happening to Ms. Griner,” said Michael Narine, an associate professor of sports management at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., who sees her as “collateral damage” in a broader tension between Russia and the US Naraine said her case has been closely watched by the sports world – and its implications have sunk in. “That’s something that’s on the minds of the athletes,” he said.
Better money overseas, more roster spots
Athletes who want to play in leagues away from home usually do so because of paychecks, observers said. That was the case for Griner, who, like other WNBA players, went to Russia to supplement her income. An image of Griner appears on a video board during a rally held at the Footprint Center in Phoenix last month. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Naraine said that reality is sending athletes looking for better opportunities, and not just in Russia. “There’s a reason professional female basketball players have to go play in Australia, Russia, Lithuania, you name it,” she said. That’s in stark contrast to many of their male counterparts in the NBA, she added, as they make far more money at home. Nneka Ogwumike, president of the National Women’s Basketball Players Association, said that’s exactly why Griner played in Russia. “The reality is that she’s there because of a gender issue — equal pay,” Ogwuimike told ABC’s Good Morning America earlier this year, noting that she, too, had played basketball in Russia. As of Friday, reports said Moscow remains open to discussing a proposed prisoner swap that would bring home Griner and another imprisoned American in exchange for a convicted Russian arms dealer. But it’s not clear if or when that will happen. When it comes to the forces driving athletes to go overseas, Slan said another factor is that the major leagues in North America only have so many roster spots. This means that athletes may have to make difficult choices to continue their careers. “There are 144 WNBA roster spots and 510 NBA roster spots,” he said. “In addition to these top leagues, some of the best-paid teams in the world reside in countries such as China and Russia.” And it’s not just the game of basketball that offers more lucrative opportunities. “China is one of those jurisdictions where athletes go to play to get their wages in a place where they can have a comfortable living,” said Brock University’s Naraine, noting there are opportunities for Canadians to play hockey. and other sports there.
The wider world outside of sport
Slan, whose company has seen customers play in 40 countries around the world, said he looks at the bigger picture when weighing international options for customers. “I try to fully prepare my clients for every situation,” he explained, and risk assessment is part of that process. Although, as his clients have learned, the unexpected can happen. “I had clients playing in Ukraine last season, just before the Russian invasion,” said Slan. “While prior to the season, there was no way to know that a Russian invasion was imminent, I was able to guide my clients safely out of the country and out of harm’s way.” Andrew Zimbalist, professor emeritus of economics at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., said the Griner case may lead athletes to consider more opportunities in leagues operating in democratic nations. “First, if I were a players’ agent, I would use all my powers of persuasion to prevent them from playing in Russia and warn them against playing in other authoritarian countries,” Zibalist said via email. “Secondly, leagues in democratic countries will become more attractive.” Slan agrees — and said safety and financial stability are key factors to weigh when athletes decide where to play. “Countries like Germany and France have become more attractive,” Slan said. “Maybe they don’t pay as much as some other leagues, but they are safe and the players’ salaries come on time. There is value in that.”
