Billionaire agrees to buy Suns and Mercury, NFL legend Franco Harris dies: top sports stories
A billionaire who played college basketball for Michigan State has agreed to buy the Phoenix Suns and Mercury franchises, and the man responsible for the most iconic play in NFL history passed away – these are the top stories in the world of sports from Dec. 19-25.
Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan
"I hope you’ll join me in writing to Paul Whelan and continuing to advocate for other Americans to be rescued and returned to their families," Griner wrote.
Inside the proposed sale of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury
Mat Ishbia’s offer to buy the majority stake of the Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, valuing them at $4 billion, is the biggest such deal in NBA history.
Mat Ishbia, billionaire mortgage lender, agrees to buy Phoenix Suns and Mercury
If the sale closes at $4 billion, it would be the largest purchase in NBA history. Joe Tsai bought the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center for $3.3 billion in 2019, and Tilman Fertitta purchased the Houston Rockets for $2.2 billion in 2017.
Cardinals' Steve Keim takes leave of absence, Brittney Griner returning to WNBA: top sports stories
After she was freed from a Russian prison in a high-level prisoner exchange, WNBA star Brittney Griner announced she will return for the Phoenix Mercury's upcoming season, and the general manager of the Arizona Cardinals is taking an immediate leave of absence from the team – these are the top stories in the world of sports from Dec. 12-18.
Brittney Griner says she will return for WNBA's upcoming season
Brittney Griner says she will return to the Phoenix Mercury for the upcoming season.
Brittney Griner dunks in first workout since Russia arrest, WNBA future unclear, agent says
Now back home, Griner will take some time to get better acquainted with her surroundings. Her return to professional basketball was not immediately clear.
Brittney Griner freed from prison, American journalist dies while covering World Cup: top sports stories
After being detained for 10 months in Russia, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was freed in a prisoner exchange, and an American journalist died suddenly while covering the World Cup in Qatar – these are the top stories in the world of sports from Dec. 5-11.
'I want to talk': Britney Griner opened up during long trip home
She "went to every member on that crew, looked them in the eyes, shook their hands and asked about them, got their names, making a personal connection with them," her presidential escort said.
Brittney Griner lands back in US after Russian prisoner swap
Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Mercury pro basketball star, was seen getting off a plane that landed Friday at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas.
Brittney Griner: Reactions pour in following WNBA star's release from Russian prison
Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said.
Who is Viktor Bout, Russia's 'Merchant of Death' freed in prisoner swap for Brittney Griner?
The U.S. and Russia agreed to swap WNBA star Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, an arms dealer who was portrayed in the 2005 film "Lord of War."
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap
Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
American Paul Whelan left behind again in Russia-US prisoner swap
President Joe Biden said the White House has 'not forgotten' about Paul Whelan, an American veteran who's been jailed in Russia since December 2018.
Brittney Griner: Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible
The Biden administration has been trying for months to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American jailed in Russia, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, including through a possible prisoner swap with Moscow.
What Brittney Griner may endure in Russian penal system
WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her 9-year sentence for drug possession at a remote Russian penal colony that human rights advocates say is known for harsh conditions and violent criminals. Here's a look at what life looks like at Russian penal colonies, and at Griner's prospects of being freed in a U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange.
WNBA star Brittney Griner transferred to Russian penal colony in Mordovia region
The WNBA star has been placed at Female Penal Colony IK-2 in Yavas, which is in the region of Mordovia – the same area where American Paul Whelan is being held, according to Reuters.
Biden hopes Putin will negotiate WNBA star Brittney Griner’s release
“My hope is that now that the election is over, that Mr. Putin will be able to discuss with us and be willing to talk more seriously about a prisoner exchange,” Biden said.
Brittney Griner sent to Russian penal colony to serve sentence
A penal colony is a common type of Russian prison where detainees work for minimal pay.
US Embassy officials visit Brittney Griner in Russia prison
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Brittney Griner "is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances" and that the administration was working "to resolve the current unacceptable and wrongful detentions" of Griner and Whelan."