Brittney Griner Files for Divorce After Eight Years of Marriage

WNBA star Brittney Griner has initiated divorce proceedings after eight years of marriage. The 35-year-old Olympic gold medalist filed for divorce in Fulton County, Georgia, describing the marriage to Cherelle Griner as “irretrievably broken,” as per court documents. The filings reveal that the couple has been separated since July 24.

“This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately,” a lawyer for Brittney Griner stated to NBC News. “There is no further comment at this time.” Representatives for Cherelle Griner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Brittney and Cherelle Griner met as students at Baylor University, where Brittney was ranked No. 2 on NCAA Division I women’s all-time scoring list. They married in June 2018. Both attended “The Brittney Griner Story” premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Cherelle Griner, a 33-year-old attorney, actively campaigned for her wife’s release following Brittney’s detention in Russia in February 2022. Authorities discovered a vape canister containing cannabis oil in Brittney’s luggage. She was convicted on drug charges in Russia, resulting in a nine-year sentence. However, she was released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner swap deal negotiated by President Joe Biden’s administration.

The couple became parents to their first son in 2024. Brittney Griner is seeking joint custody of their child, according to court documents.

This marks Brittney Griner’s second marriage. She was previously married to former WNBA player Glory Johnson in 2015, but the pair filed for annulment within a month. During their brief marriage, Johnson became pregnant with twins through in vitro fertilization. In 2016, Brittney was ordered to pay child support for the twins.