WNBA star Brittney Griner and her Phoenix Mercury teammates reportedly experienced harassment from a right-wing YouTuber while walking through an airport. The incident prompted both the team and the league to release statements on Saturday.
Conservative vlogger Alex Stein shared a partial video of the encounter with a promise to upload the full footage on Sunday morning. In the clip, Stein can be seen shouting in what appears to be an airport, directing a question toward Griner: “Hey Brit, do you still want to boycott America?”
“She hates America!” he yells after being called weird by someone off-camera.
The league issued a statement in response to the harassment, stating that Griner and all WNBA players’ safety is a priority. It did not mention Stein by name.
“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 provocateur,” the league’s statement reads. “His actions were inappropriate and unfortunate.”
It continued, “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 chartered flights for WNBA games and assigned security personnel at all times.”
The Mercury issued a statement in support of Griner, noting that they are reviewing the incident.
“We are committed to our support of BG and advocating for all American hostages abroad,” the team said. “We will continue our support of marginalized communities and fight the kind of hate that targeted us today.”
They added, “No one, regardless of identity, should ever fear for their safety. We will be coordinating with the WNBA on next steps.”
https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/1667623253311987713?s=20
Additionally, Griner’s agent issued a statement of support, while teammate Brianna Turner tweeted that the “team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move…”
“We demand better,” she added.
https://twitter.com/_Breezy_Briii/status/1667546558223532032?s=20
