WNBA star Brittney Griner files for divorce from wife Cherelle Griner

WNBA star Brittney Griner has filed for divorce after eight years of marriage.

The 35-year-old Olympic gold medalist filed for divorce in Fulton County, Georgia, describing the marriage to Cherelle Griner as “irretrievably broken,” according to court documents.

In those filings, Brittney Griner says that the couple has been separated since July 24.

“This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately,” a lawyer for Brittney Griner told NBC News in a statement. “There is no further comment at this time.”

Representatives for Cherelle Griner did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The couple were married in June 2018 after meeting as students at Baylor University, where Brittney Griner ranked No. 2 on the NCAA Division I women’s all-time scoring list.

Cherelle Griner, a 33-year-old attorney, publicly fought for her wife’s release after she was detained in Russia in February 2022. Authorities said they found a vape canister containing cannabis oil in her luggage.

Brittney Griner was convicted on drug charges in Russia and received a nine-year sentence, but was released in December 2022 as part of a high-profile prisoner swap deal negotiated by the administration of President Joe Biden.

The couple had their first son together in 2024. Brittney Griner is seeking joint custody of their child, according to court documents.

This was Brittney Griner’s second marriage. The Connecticut Sun center was previously married to former WNBA player Glory Johnson in 2015, but the pair filed for annulment less than a month later. Johnson became pregnant with twins through in vitro fertilization during the couple’s short marriage. Brittney Griner was ordered to pay child support for the twins in 2016.