Jailing of Brittney Griner won’t shake allure of high pay in autocratic states, sports observers say
Basketball star Brittney Griner’s politically charged entanglement in Russia might give different athletes pause when pursuing contracts in authoritarian states, although sports activities observers say financial want is what drives them to hunt alternatives overseas within the first place.
And except that adjustments, gamers being supplied a greater alternative some other place might be tempted to pursue it, regardless of the dangers.
Griner, a 31-year-old WNBA star, had been heading to Russia to play basketball every winter — reportedly banking a $1-million US paycheque, greater than quadruple what she made again house.
Matt Slan, the founder and CEO of Slan Sports activities Administration, a Toronto-based firm representing basketball gamers, instructed CBC Information that Griner’s story appears prone to function “a harsh warning sign” to different athletes, however not essentially a complete deterrent to enjoying in comparable authoritarian jurisdictions.
In Russia this week, Griner was sentenced to spend 9 years in jail on drug possession prices. The best ranges of the U.S. authorities say they’re actively preventing for her launch.
As rich states from Russia to China and Saudi Arabia look to broaden their footprints in skilled sports activities, the lure of excessive salaries is prone to proceed drawing some athletes from democracies, enterprise observers mentioned, regardless of Griner’s imprisonment.
WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in a Russian jail on drug possession and smuggling prices — a politically charged transfer denounced by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Griner’s sentence got here in live performance with a conviction for drug possession and smuggling — referring to vape cartridges containing hashish oil discovered her baggage. She instructed a Russian courtroom she inadvertently packed them.
“It is extraordinarily unlucky what’s taking place to Ms. Griner,” mentioned Michael Naraine, an affiliate professor of sport administration at Brock College in St. Catharines, Ont., who views her as being “collateral injury” in a broader tensions between Russia and the U.S.
Naraine mentioned her case has been carefully watched within the sports activities world — and its implications have been sinking in.
“That is one thing that is been on the minds of athletes,” he mentioned.
Higher cash overseas, extra roster spots
Athletes seeking to play in leagues removed from house are often doing so due to the paycheques, observers mentioned.
That was the case for Griner, who, like different WNBA gamers, went to Russia to complement her revenue.
Naraine mentioned this actuality sends athletes searching for higher alternatives, and never simply in Russia.
“There’s a cause skilled girls’s basketball gamers should go play in Australia, Russia, Lithuania, you title it,” he mentioned.
This stands in stark distinction to a lot of their male counterparts within the NBA, he added, as they make far extra money at house.
Nneka Ogwumike, the president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, mentioned that is precisely why Griner performed in Russia.
“The truth is that she’s over there due to a gender concern — pay fairness,” Ogwuimike instructed ABC’s Good Morning America, earlier this year, noting that she, too, had performed basketball in Russia.
As of Friday, experiences point out Moscow stays open to discussing a proposed prisoner swap that may convey Griner and one other imprisoned American house, in alternate for a convicted Russian arms seller.
But it surely’s not clear if, or when, that can occur.
With regards to the forces main athletes to go overseas, Slan mentioned one other issue is that the massive leagues in North America solely have so many roster spots.
Which means athletes might should make powerful decisions with a purpose to pursue their profession.
“There are 144 WNBA roster spots, and 510 NBA roster spots,” he mentioned. “Exterior of those prime leagues, a few of the prime paying groups on the planet reside in international locations like China and Russia.”
And it is not simply the sport of basketball that’s providing extra profitable alternatives.
“China is a type of jurisdictions the place athletes go to play with a purpose to get their salaries to a spot the place they’ll have a cushty dwelling,” mentioned Brock College’s Naraine, noting there are alternatives for Canadians enjoying hockey and different sports activities there.
The broader world outdoors sports activities
Slan, whose company has seen clients play in 40 countries around the world, mentioned he appears on the wider context when weighing worldwide choices for shoppers.
“I attempt to absolutely put together my shoppers for each state of affairs,” he defined, and assessing dangers is a part of that course of.
Although, as his shoppers have discovered, the surprising can occur.
“I had shoppers enjoying in Ukraine final season, simply earlier than the Russian invasion,” mentioned Slan.
“Whereas previous to the season, there was no approach to perceive {that a} Russian invasion was imminent, I used to be in a position to information my shoppers safely in a foreign country and out of hurt’s manner.”
Andrew Zimbalist, a professor emeritus of economics at Smith School in Northampton, Mass., mentioned the Griner case might drive athletes to take into account extra alternatives in leagues working in democratic nations.
“First, if I had been a participant agent, I might use all my powers of persuasion to maintain them from enjoying in Russia and I might warn them about enjoying in different authoritarian international locations,” mentioned Zimbalist by way of e-mail. “Second, leagues in democratic international locations will turn out to be extra engaging.”
Slan concurs — and mentioned security and financial stability are key components that have to be weighed when athletes make a call about the place to play.
“Nations like Germany and France have turn out to be extra interesting,” mentioned Slan. “Possibly they do not pay as a lot as another leagues, however they’re secure and gamers’ salaries come on time. There’s worth in that.”
