Why are WNBA players in Russia? What you need to know

You might have heard Phoenix center Brittney Griner is currently in the custody of Russian authorities in Moscow and is facing drug smuggling charges.

Authorities claim they found vape cartridges in her carry-on luggage last month, USA Today learned on Saturday.

But some are asking why Griner, a successful American athlete, was even in Russia during a time of upheaval.

Griner’s presence in Russia wasn’t a surprise as there were several WNBA players playing in the Russian Women’s Basketball Premier League during the WNBA offseason.

Griner was participating in her seventh season with UMMC Ekaterinburg. Griner began playing in Russia during the 2015-16 season.

Her reported arrest came several weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Money is the obvious draw for WNBA players, and Griner had a million reasons to return to the league.

In Russia, Griner has made as much as $1.5 million a year, a much larger haul compared to her base salary of $215,000 last season for the Mercury. The maximum base salary in the WNBA in the 2021 season was $221,450. Players in the league have the opportunity to make up to $500,000 for the four months of play under the new CBA with combined salary, bonuses, tournaments, league and team marketing deals.

Russia has also been known to offer additional perks that are not provided in the WNBA like chartered flights, a personal driver, and other luxuries. The WNBA recently fined the New York Liberty $500,000 for violation of the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement for repeatedly chartering flights for the team.

More: Who is Brittney Griner? Phoenix Mercury player arrested in Russia on drug charges

Although moving far away from home and playing in a country without knowing the native language is a difficult thing to do, it hasn't been a hurdle for American players. Familiarity helps in the transition process, especially when Griner played alongside Mercury and U.S. Olympic teammate Diana Taurasi in Russia for two seasons. Then-Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello also served as an assistant coach from 2012-17.

Taurasi has spent ten years in Russia overall, including four seasons with UMMC Ekaterinburg. She was notably paid by the team in 2015 to sit out the WNBA season.

In past interviews, Griner has said playing in Russia can be an emotional challenge due to the isolation that occurs in a country with frigid temperatures, and being away from family and friends.

But it’s not all negative.

Taurasi and fellow WNBA veteran Sue Bird have previously detailed their experiences with Spartak Moscow that included being put up in a mini mansion and staying in the nicest hotels while on the road, to name a few. Both also enjoyed the higher salary and bonuses that were comparable to men’s basketball players.

Mercury in Russia: Diana Taurasi 'made for quarantine' because of years in Russia

Past trouble overseas for Mercury

As much as playing overseas has awarded WNBA players with the opportunities to earn more than their salaries in the U.S., there has also been other issues in the past with overseas leagues.

While playing for the Turkish Basketball Federation, Taurasi had a provisional ban from the league after she initially tested positive for a banned stimulant. The doping allegations threatened her spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and had her contract with the Turkish league terminated.

Throughout the trial, Taurasi presented evidence that accused the lab of mishandling her case. The Turkish lab that performed Taurasi’s test was previously suspended for a brief period by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Taurasi was then cleared in Feb. 2011 of the allegations after being represented by Howard Jacobs, a former triathlete who has represented many elite athletes in anti-doping cases. She returned to Turkey the following season in 2011-12, but then went on to play in Russia for the offseason.

Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why was Brittney Griner in Russia? What you need to know