NEW YORK (May 15, 2015) The WNBA Friday suspended former Baylor standout Brittney Griner and her wife, Glory Johnson, for seven games each after their domestic violence arrests last month.
Griner plays for the WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury, while Johnson plays for the Tulsa Shock.
The two All-Stars were arrested in April on suspicion of assault after they fought in a home they recently bought.Griner and Johnson got married last week in Phoenix.
The league cited the integrity of the game in handing down the punishment Friday.
"Brittney and Glory's conduct is detrimental to the best interests of the WNBA and violates applicable law," WNBA President Laurel J. Richie said in a statement Friday.
"We also understand that people make mistakes, and that education and training are as important as imposing discipline. Accordingly, each player will be required to attend individual counseling sessions with a counselor satisfactory to the WNBA. If either player fails to comply with this condition or any of the conditions imposed by the court, we reserve the right to revisit this matter," Richie said.
Griner has already entered a diversion agreement in which she pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will attend 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling.
All charges will be dismissed if she completes her counseling.
Johnson's case has been transferred to a county court and is pending.
Griner, 24, the former Baylor star and No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft, and Johnson, 24, a forward with the Tulsa Shock, were arrested April 22 at their home in the suburb of Goodyear and were later released, jail records show.
The two were arrested after a dispute turned physical, Goodyear police spokeswoman Lisa Kutis said.
No weapons were involved and neither woman required hospital treatment, Kutis said.
Griner told police the two had been quarreling lately and that the argument became physical.
The fight started when Johnson pushed Griner in the shoulder and Griner responded by pushing Johnson in the back of the neck, Richie said in the statement Friday.
"The confrontation escalated to include wrestling, punches, and the throwing and swinging of various objects," Richie said.
Griner was bitten on a finger and had scratches on her wrist, Richie said.
Johnson had a scratch above her lip and was diagnosed with a concussion, Richie said.Griner and Johnson announced their engagement late last summer.
Griner, a two-time Associated Press Player of the Year, finished as the second all-time scorer in women's NCAA history, with 3,283 points.
She was the top shot-blocker ever, shattering both the men's and women's college marks with 748 and also had a record 18 dunks, including 11 in her final season with the Lady Bears.
Well.......WNBA didn't fool around on this at all- that's more than any guy I can remember.
Griner plays for the WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury, while Johnson plays for the Tulsa Shock.
The two All-Stars were arrested in April on suspicion of assault after they fought in a home they recently bought.Griner and Johnson got married last week in Phoenix.
The league cited the integrity of the game in handing down the punishment Friday.
"Brittney and Glory's conduct is detrimental to the best interests of the WNBA and violates applicable law," WNBA President Laurel J. Richie said in a statement Friday.
"We also understand that people make mistakes, and that education and training are as important as imposing discipline. Accordingly, each player will be required to attend individual counseling sessions with a counselor satisfactory to the WNBA. If either player fails to comply with this condition or any of the conditions imposed by the court, we reserve the right to revisit this matter," Richie said.
Griner has already entered a diversion agreement in which she pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will attend 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling.
All charges will be dismissed if she completes her counseling.
Johnson's case has been transferred to a county court and is pending.
Griner, 24, the former Baylor star and No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft, and Johnson, 24, a forward with the Tulsa Shock, were arrested April 22 at their home in the suburb of Goodyear and were later released, jail records show.
The two were arrested after a dispute turned physical, Goodyear police spokeswoman Lisa Kutis said.
No weapons were involved and neither woman required hospital treatment, Kutis said.
Griner told police the two had been quarreling lately and that the argument became physical.
The fight started when Johnson pushed Griner in the shoulder and Griner responded by pushing Johnson in the back of the neck, Richie said in the statement Friday.
"The confrontation escalated to include wrestling, punches, and the throwing and swinging of various objects," Richie said.
Griner was bitten on a finger and had scratches on her wrist, Richie said.
Johnson had a scratch above her lip and was diagnosed with a concussion, Richie said.Griner and Johnson announced their engagement late last summer.
Griner, a two-time Associated Press Player of the Year, finished as the second all-time scorer in women's NCAA history, with 3,283 points.
She was the top shot-blocker ever, shattering both the men's and women's college marks with 748 and also had a record 18 dunks, including 11 in her final season with the Lady Bears.
Well.......WNBA didn't fool around on this at all- that's more than any guy I can remember.