Brittney Griner’s Net Worth is $5 Million
Say hello to Brittney Griner, the boss lady of women’s basketball. Born and raised in Houston on October 18, 1990, she has zig-zagged her way across court boundaries, chased hoops around the globe and shot her bank balance through the stratosphere. By 2023, this all-star athlete was sitting pretty on a $5 million net worth. And it’s not just because of her skills on the court, first at Baylor University and then with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. Of course, her skills have paid off and contributed to her financial status in a big way, but there’s more to this money story.
Brittney, as you shall see, has got a knack for making the right moves off the court, too. She’s aced contracts with the Mercury, cashed in on international leagues in China and Russia, and snagged some seriously bankable brand deals. In other words, she is not just a sports superstar, she’s a master of turning fame into fortune.
| Name | Brittney Yevette Griner |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Birthday | October 18, 1990 (Libra) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Relationship Status | Married |
Hoop Dreams: Brittney’s Early Career and Breakthrough
It seems as though Brittney Griner has been killing the game all her life. She was born in Houston, Texas, on October 18, 1990 as the youngest of four. She was just a kid at Nimitz High when she swapped her school bag for a basketball. Soon, she wasn’t just playing the game, she was owning it. When the internet caught wind of her dunking abilities, it went nuts, sending the clips into viral heaven.
She took her high school team all the way to the state championship, then headed to Baylor University, where she showed everyone how it’s done. She even set a new single-season block record, proving she could prevent baskets as well as drain them. She was named the AP Player of the Year and even bagged the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.
In 2013, Brittney was top of her game, picked first by the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA draft. She was good value for money, keeping fans on the edge of their seats by dunking not once, but twice in her first professional game. She then racked up two Defensive Player of the Year awards and solidified her place as a WNBA living legend. A global phenomenon in basketball had arrived and is here to stay.
A True Baller: Revenues from Brittney’s Career
Wondering how a big-time women’s basketball player makes her bread? Well, brace yourself because this WNBA superstar has been raking in millions and shows no sign of slowing down. While the average player in her league might just be scraping six figures from their career, Griner’s paycheck ticks up, thanks to her talent and value to her team, the Phoenix Mercury.
Brittney Griner hit an epic payday back in 2023 when she signed a one-year contract worth $165,100 with the Mercury. Over her decade in the WNBA, adding up all her paydays, Griner’s earnings have hit an impressive $1.5 million. From her first four-year rookie deal to her massive $644,544 three-year deal, Griner’s paycheck chronicle shows her importance to the women’s game.
This, though, is just half the picture. Back in 2013, during the WNBA off-season, Griner took her killer skills to China to play for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. She pulled in $600,000 for just four months on the court, doubling her dough.
As if that weren’t enough, Griner’s got more cash inflow from her time playing in Russia. She’d been playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg since 2014, pocketing a paycheck reported to be around $1 million before her unexpected 10-month detainment in 2022 for carrying cannabis oil into the country.
Making History: Brittney’s Other Revenues
Brittney is also making money beyond the court. She sealed the deal on some serious endorsements, making major waves when she landed a $1-million contract with Nike in 2013, all while repping for the LGBTQ+ community as their first openly gay athlete. This wasn’t just money in the pocket for Griner, her contract was a game-changer, making a loud statement for visibility and acceptance in sports.
All these side gigs aren’t just lining her pockets – they’re a testament to Brittney’s grit and hustle as a pro athlete. She’s not just killing it on the court but hustling off it too, showing us she’s a bona fide powerhouse and unstoppable workhorse, making it rain both on and off the court.
Brittney’s Bucks & Beneficence
One of Brittney’s most glamorous purchases took place in 2018, when she dropped around half a million on a fabulous 3,000 sq. ft. pad in sunny Arizona. This stunning place, snagged by Griner for a $475,000, comes with an airy entryway, a chef’s dream kitchen with an upgraded countertop made of granite, and spacious living and dining areas. Today her stunning home is estimated to be worth nearly $900,000.
Griner’s need for speed is well served with her collection of fancy wheels. A Jeep Wrangler worth $35,000, a Range Rover Autobiography with a price tag of $140,000, and an Audi E-Tron, which starts at $74,800. Now that’s what we call riding in style and definitely one of the perks of being a top-notch athlete with a hefty paycheck.
Griner isn’t just about fancy homes and speedy cars. Our girl has a carved out a major space in her heart for giving back to those less fortunate. In 2017, when a local Phoenix LGBTQ youth center was hit by a suspected arson attack, Griner didn’t hesitate. She stepped up and gave them the $5,000 she’d won for the WNBA’s Cares Community Assist Award. It’s clear that Griner isn’t just about the bling and glamour; she’s genuinely committed to making a difference in the world.
In the Paint: Brittney’s Personal Life
Ever wondered about the life of basketball dynamo Brittney Griner when she steps off the court? It’s just as exciting. Brittney comes from Houston, youngest in a brood of four. Her dad, Raymond Griner, is a Vietnam vet, having served twice for his country.
As for Brittney’s love life, sparks flew in 2014 between her and fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. They got hitched the next year, right after a bit of a domestic violence dust-up for which they both faced charges and were suspended by the league. Glory then gave birth to twins Ava and Solei. They finally called it quits in 2016.
Brittney kept faith in love and found it again with Cherelle Watson, a teacher. They got married in 2019.
Dunks and Drama: Major Events
Brittney made headlines with her messy spat with former flame and fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson, in April 2015. Heated words led to flying fists, and both ended up in handcuffs. The WNBA benched both for seven games—plus, they sent Griner to sit through 26 weeks of counseling.
More drama ensued, this time on the international stage. In February 2022, security at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow discovered vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage during a check. Brittney was locked up for several months, eventually being freed in exchange for a Russian arms dealer imprisoned in the United States for a 25-year sentence.
