Engaged WNBA Stars Arrested in Domestic Assault Case

Engaged WNBA Stars Arrested in Domestic Assault Case

PHOENIX, April 24 (UPI) — Two stars of the WNBA — who are engaged to be married — were released from jail Thursday following a report of domestic violence at their shared home, authorities said.

Brittney Griner, 24, a 6-foot-8 forward for the league’s Phoenix Mercury, was taken into custody Wednesday after police received reports of a disturbance at her home. Upon arrival, police arrested her and her fiancee, Glory Johnson, 24, also a player for the league’s Tulsa Shock, as well.

The cause of the disturbance was not immediately revealed but officials reportedly said neither woman opted to file charges against the other. The Arizona Republic reported that the women were shouting and throwing things at each other.

Johnson’s sister, who was present in the home, reportedly called police when the women could not be separated.

“It turned into a fight. Broke up. We kept arguing, mouthing back and forth, clashed again, separated us, clashed again, separated us and here we are now,” Griner reportedly told an officer.

Griner, 24, recently purchased the Phoenix home that she shared with Johnson. The couple became engaged to be married in August, and had planned to marry next month.

Prior to being drafted first overall in 2013, Griner was a star collegiate player for Baylor. She helped lead the Mercury to the 2014 WNBA championship.

“The last few months have been an extremely stressful time for Brittney and Glory,” Griner’s attorney David Michael Cantor said in a report by the New York Times. “They will continue to work through these hardships together and ask that the media respect their privacy as they handle this family matter.

“Glory and Brittney sincerely apologize for the distraction this has caused their families, respective teams, the W.N.B.A., sponsors and fans.”

Domestic violence has become an increasingly scrutinized issue in professional athletics in recent years.

Running back Ray Rice, formerly of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, was suspended by the team last year when an incident of violence allegedly involving his fiancee became public. Ex-Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson was also accused in a domestic violence case.

The NFL instituted sweeping changes to its domestic assault policy in the wake of the players’ involvement. It also broadcast a public service announcement about domestic violence during this year’s Super Bowl.

It was not immediately known whether Griner’s arrest might impact her participation on the women’s United States Olympic women’s basketball team.