Brittney Griner filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle, on July 30, 2026, in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia. The split ends roughly eight years of marriage. It also closes a chapter the public knows well. Cherelle was the woman at the center of the 2022 campaign to bring Brittney home from a Russian prison. Since the filing, the case has grown to include custody of their son and, as of September, a request for spousal support.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brittney Yevette Griner |
| Nickname | BG |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Age | 35 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Profession | Professional basketball player (center) |
| Years Active | 2013–present (WNBA) |
| Education | Baylor University |
| Current Team | Connecticut Sun (2026) |
| Spouse | Cherelle Griner (m. June 18, 2018; divorce filed July 30, 2026); Glory Johnson (m. 2015; div. 2016) |
| Relationship Status | Separated, divorce pending |
| Children | Bash Raymond Griner (born July 2024) |
| Parents | Raymond Griner, Sandra Griner |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Notable Works | Memoir Coming Home (2024) |
| Awards/Honors | WNBA champion (2014), 10-time WNBA All-Star, three-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year |
What the Divorce Filing Says
The petition was filed on a Thursday, July 30, in Fulton County Superior Court. Brittney filed as a Georgia resident. She moved to the Atlanta area when she played for the Dream in 2025. The court document lists July 24, 2026, as the date the couple separated. That means the petition was submitted less than a week after the split.
The stated grounds are simple. The petition says the marriage is irretrievably broken and that there is no hope of reconciliation. This is standard language in Georgia’s no-fault divorce system. Neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing. Neither has to explain in court what led to the breakup.
In my experience covering celebrity court cases, a no-fault filing like this usually signals that at least one side wants to keep the details private. The filing is short on drama. It focuses on custody, property, and debts, not blame.
Why the Case Was Filed in Georgia
Brittney spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream, and the filing treats her as a Fulton County resident. She now plays for the Connecticut Sun, but residency, not team location, decides where a divorce can be filed. Georgia also requires only that the marriage be irretrievably broken, which keeps the opening stage fast and simple.
Marriage Date and Relationship Timeline
The court papers list June 18, 2018, as the wedding date. That surprised many fans. Earlier media reports, and much of the couple’s own public story, placed the wedding in 2019. The court date is the legal record, so it is the one that counts. By that date, they were married a little over eight years, not seven.
The couple first met as students at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Their relationship was not a straight line. They dated, split up, and later got back together. For a stretch, they kept the relationship out of public view.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Met at Baylor University | College years in Waco, Texas |
| Married (per court papers) | June 18, 2018 |
| Widely reported wedding year | 2019 |
| Son Bash born | July 2024 |
| Separation date | July 24, 2026 |
| Divorce filed | July 30, 2026 |
| Cherelle’s response filed | September 2026 |
The date discrepancy does not change the outcome of the case. But it matters for one reason. In Georgia, the length of a marriage can shape how property is divided and whether spousal support is awarded.
Custody of Their Son, Bash
Brittney and Cherelle share one child, Bash Raymond Griner, born in July 2024. He turned two just weeks before the filing. In her petition, Brittney asked for joint legal and joint physical custody. That would give both parents a say in major decisions and a real share of parenting time.
Brittney also asked the court to set child support under Georgia’s guidelines. This is a routine request. Georgia calculates child support using both parents’ incomes, so the large earnings gap between the two will likely play a role here too.
Cherelle’s response takes a slightly different position. She agrees to joint legal custody. But she asks the court to decide physical custody and parenting time based on Bash’s best interests. That leaves room for a schedule that does not split time evenly.
For a parent in a busy pro sports career, this detail matters. A WNBA season means travel, road trips, and long stretches away. Courts often weigh that kind of schedule when setting physical custody, even when both parents are loving and involved.
How the Assets and Debts May Be Divided
Brittney is asking for an equitable split of all marital property and marital debts. The petition covers property that is real and personal, tangible and intangible. That wording is broad on purpose. It covers everything from a home to bank accounts to business interests.
“Equitable” does not mean equal in Georgia. A judge divides marital property in a way that is fair given the facts, which can mean an uneven split. The court looks at each spouse’s contributions, earnings, and needs.
Brittney also wants to keep what she calls separate or non-marital property. Under Georgia law, that usually includes:
- Premarital assets owned before June 2018
- Inherited property
- Gifts given to one spouse alone
Given the timeline, this could be significant. Brittney had already played several WNBA seasons and years overseas before the 2018 wedding. Those earlier earnings, if kept separate, would likely stay with her.
Cherelle’s Response and Spousal Support Request
In late September, reported around Sept. 22, Cherelle filed her response to the divorce petition. She agreed the marriage is irretrievably broken. She also listed the same wedding and separation dates as Brittney. On the basics, both sides line up.
The big new issue is money. Cherelle asked the court to award her spousal support. She points to what she calls a substantial disparity between her income and Brittney’s. She says she cannot meet her reasonable monthly needs without continued support.
The response does not name a dollar figure. It also does not show Cherelle’s income. So far, the judge has not ruled on support, custody, or property. These remain unresolved issues, and the two sides can still settle through negotiation.
Brittney’s Salary and the Income Gap
The income gap centers on Brittney’s current contract. She signed a one-year deal with the Connecticut Sun for 2026, reportedly worth more than $1 million, with some reports placing it near $1.19 million. That is one of the larger deals in the league under its new pay structure.
Cherelle, 34 years old by some reports, is an attorney. Even so, a lawyer’s salary rarely matches a max-level WNBA deal. Georgia courts consider the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning ability, and the standard of living during the marriage when deciding alimony. An eight-year marriage with a child gives Cherelle a reasonable basis to ask.
Attorney Statement and Public Reaction
Brittney is represented by Randall Kessler, a well-known Atlanta family lawyer. His statement was short. He said the team hopes the matter can be settled privately and that there was no further comment. That tone matches the no-fault petition.
Cherelle could not be reached for comment when the filing first became public. Neither spouse has publicly addressed the reasons for the split. Brittney’s agent also did not reply to early requests.
Fan reaction was mostly shock. Many had followed the couple since 2022. They saw Cherelle as the face of the fight to free Brittney. That history is why this divorce drew far more attention than a typical athlete’s breakup.
Birthday Posts Weeks Before the Filing
Part of the surprise came from social media. In July, only weeks before the filing, the couple were still sharing warm posts on Instagram. The posts included a photo carousel of the family and praise for each other as parents of their son. To fans, nothing looked wrong. The quick turn from birthday tributes to court papers made the news harder to process.
Russia Detention and Cherelle’s Advocacy
To understand why this split resonates, you have to go back to Feb. 17, 2022. Brittney was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow. Customs officers found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She said she had packed them by mistake. She held a medical cannabis prescription in Arizona, where it was legal.
Brittney pleaded guilty and said it was an honest mistake. On Aug. 4, 2022, a Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison. She was later moved to a Russian work camp. In total, she spent about 10 months in custody.
Cherelle, who is an attorney, became her loudest advocate. She gave interviews, including a May 2022 GMA appearance. She met officials and lawmakers. She pushed the Biden administration to negotiate a release. She also thanked supporters often on Instagram.
In December 2022, the U.S. freed Brittney in a prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer. Cherelle was at the White House when the news was announced. Few couples have had their marriage tested so publicly.
Brittney’s Memoir and Her Fear of Divorce
In her 2024 memoir, Coming Home, Brittney wrote about the emotional strain of prison. She described fearing that Cherelle would leave her if she had to serve the full sentence. She even offered Cherelle a way out. Cherelle refused. That story is now bittersweet, given the divorce filing four years later.
The Brittney Griner Story Documentary
The couple’s fight also reached the screen. The Brittney Griner Story documentary, released in January, told the story of her detention and the campaign to bring her home. Cherelle’s role featured heavily. The film helped cement their image as a couple who survived the worst together.
Previous Marriage to Glory Johnson
This is Brittney’s second divorce. Her first marriage was to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. Both were arrested in April 2015 after a domestic dispute at their home in Arizona. Domestic violence charges were filed. Both later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and the WNBA suspended each for seven games.
They married in May 2015. Weeks later, Johnson announced she was pregnant with IVF twins. Brittney sought to annul the marriage. The case turned into a fight over whether she was a legal parent to the twins.
An Arizona judge finalized the divorce in June 2016. Brittney was ordered to pay $2,516 per month in support. That history is why many observers note that she is again facing possible support payments to a former spouse.
Brittney Griner’s Career Context
Brittney spent 12 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. She won the WNBA title with them in 2014. She is a 10-time All-Star and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. After her release, she returned to the court and helped Team USA win gold again in 2024. She has said that playing for her country after Russia meant more to her than any previous Olympics.
She joined the Atlanta Dream in 2025. For 2026, she signed a one-year deal with the Connecticut Sun. That contract is now central to the support case.
The Sun are also in transition. The team has played at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and reports say it will move to Houston for the 2027 season. Houston is Brittney’s hometown, though her future with the team after this one-year deal is not settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Brittney Griner file for divorce?
Brittney Griner filed for divorce on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The petition lists July 24, 2026, as the couple’s separation date. The news became public the next day through court records.
Where was the Brittney Griner divorce filed?
It was filed in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia. Brittney filed as a Fulton County resident after her 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream. Georgia law allows the case to proceed on no-fault grounds.
How long were Brittney and Cherelle Griner married?
They were married for just over eight years. The court papers list June 18, 2018, as the wedding date, even though many reports had said 2019. Both spouses used the 2018 date in their filings.
Do Brittney and Cherelle Griner have children?
Yes. They share one son, Bash Raymond Griner, born in July 2024. Both parents want joint legal custody, but Cherelle wants the court to decide physical custody based on his best interests.
Why did Brittney Griner file for divorce?
The filing only says the marriage is irretrievably broken with no chance of reconciliation. Neither spouse has shared a specific reason publicly. Her lawyer said they hope to resolve the matter privately.
Is Cherelle Griner asking for spousal support?
Yes. In her September response, Cherelle asked for spousal support due to the large income gap. She did not list a specific amount, and the judge has not ruled on the request.
Who is Cherelle Griner?
Cherelle Griner is an attorney and Brittney’s estranged wife. She met Brittney at Baylor University. She became widely known in 2022 for leading the public campaign to free Brittney from Russian detention.
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