WNBA star Brittney Griner has started divorce proceedings after eight years of marriage to Cherelle Griner. The 35-year-old Olympic gold medalist filed in Fulton County, Georgia, labeling the union as “irretrievably broken,” according to court documents.
Documents indicate that the couple has been separated since July 24. Brittney Griner’s lawyer expressed a desire for a private resolution, stating, “This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately.” Cherelle Griner’s representatives have yet to comment.
The couple attended the premiere of “The Brittney Griner Story” at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Brittney and Cherelle Griner married in June 2018. They met at Baylor University, where Brittney became the No. 2 all-time scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball.
Cherelle, a 33-year-old attorney, actively campaigned for Brittney’s release following her arrest in Russia in 2022. Russian authorities found cannabis oil in Brittney’s luggage, leading to a conviction and a nine-year sentence. She left Russia in December 2022 after a prisoner exchange organized by President Joe Biden’s administration.
The couple had their first son in 2024. Brittney Griner is pursuing joint custody of the child, as per court documents. This marks Brittney Griner’s second marriage. Her first was to former WNBA player Glory Johnson in 2015, ending in an annulment after less than a month. During this brief marriage, Johnson became pregnant with twins via in vitro fertilization. Brittney Griner was ordered to pay child support in 2016.