Protecting Brittney Griner From National Journalist, Ex-Suns Star Fires Back With Stinging Remark

Brittney Griner has earned a rare second shot at life. But former columnist Jason Whitlock doesn’t seem convinced it was worth it. You’ll recall her February 2022 arrest at a Moscow airport for vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She didn’t make it home until months later, thanks to a high-stakes prisoner swap. Yet, even now, her freedom is stirring up debate.

Now starring for the Atlanta Dream, Griner grabbed headlines at halftime. Not for her All-Star pedigree, but for an on-court outburst caught on a CBS Sports sideline. During halftime of Saturday’s matchup, CBS Sports was mid-interview with her when she suddenly snapped at a passing official. “Be f—–g better,” she shouted, clearly upset. The clip made its way to social media, and Whitlock didn’t hold back. He posted, “We traded the Merchant of Death for BG. And y’all think the Luka trade was bad.”

Ex-Suns guard Eddie A. Johnson blasted Whitlock’s take on the Sportsing! podcast. “So now athletes can’t show emotion huh? Man what happened to you? You are one sad big puppy,” he fired back. Johnson’s words pushed back against the idea that one moment of frustration erases the value of someone’s life or second chance.

For a better understanding, let’s rewind a bit. Brittney Griner’s Russian arrest happened over vape cartridges containing “oil derived from cannabis” found in her luggage. It led to a shocking nine-year sentence for drug smuggling. But in December 2022, her freedom came through a 1-on-1 exchange involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Bout isn’t your everyday criminal. Dubbed the “Merchant of Death,” he was serving 25 years for charges like “conspiring to kill Americans, acquire and export anti-aircraft missiles and provide material support to a terrorist organization.” Could the U.S. have landed a better deal? Maybe. But was it still worth it to bring back one of its own? That’s the real debate. And clearly, Eddie A. Johnson thinks so.

For the former Suns star, Griner’s worth isn’t up for negotiation—even if she let her emotions spill out in the heat of the game. Sometimes, the bigger story isn’t about the trade—it’s about what, and who, a country is willing to fight for. And if you’re looking for a closer look at the entire story, a company with $153.32 billion in net worth is making sure it meets the fan demand.

Is ESPN planning a movie based on Brittney Griner’s time in a Russian prison?

Brittney Griner’s journey has been nothing short of a real-life drama—and now, it’s officially headed to the screen. If you’ve ever thought her experience felt like something straight out of a movie, you’re not alone. Earlier this month, Disney and ESPN officially announced a multi-project partnership with Brittney Griner, turning her harrowing 10-month detainment in Russia into both an ESPN Films documentary and a scripted series from ABC Signature. The big reveal came in December 2023.

“The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative, and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world,” Griner said in a release. “I’m proud to partner with ESPN and Disney to share this very personal story because of its incredible potential to inspire hope around the world and their proven ability to do just that.”

ESPN president Burke Magnus called Griner’s story “nothing short of extraordinary,” promising the film will feature previously unreleased footage, personal letters she penned behind bars, and interviews with her legal team and family. On the scripted side, ABC Signature is developing a limited series executive-produced by Griner’s wife Cherelle and agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas, with an expected focus on her psychological journey—from arrest at Sheremetyevo Airport for vape cartridges to her release in the December 2022 swap with Viktor Bout.

In addition to the film and series, Griner will sit down for an exclusive interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, marking her first on-camera debrief. While premiere dates remain under wraps, Disney’s $197 billion entertainment machine ensures Griner’s account, bolstered by archival materials, first-hand testimony, and cultural context, will reach a global audience ready to witness not just an athlete’s ordeal but a testament to resilience under duress.