Brittney Griner Net Worth: Her $5M Rise to WNBA Royalty

Brittney Griner is a big name in basketball. Brittney Griner net worth is about $5 million in 2025. She earned this money from playing basketball, signing deals with brands, and making smart choices. This article tells you how she built her wealth. It’s written by Alex Taylor, who knows a lot about sports and lifestyle. The words are simple, so everyone can understand her story.

Who Is Brittney Griner?

Brittney Griner was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas. She is very tall, at 6 feet 9 inches. In high school, she was great at basketball. A video of her dunking went viral online. Even NBA star Shaquille O’Neal noticed her talent.

At Baylor University, she was a star. She helped her team win a big college championship in 2012. She also won awards for being the best player. In 2013, the Phoenix Mercury picked her first in the WNBA draft. She won three Olympic gold medals and a WNBA championship. In 2023, Time magazine called her one of the 100 most important people.

How Much Is Brittney Griner Worth?

Brittney Griner’s net worth is around $5 million in 2025. She made this money from playing in the WNBA, playing in other countries, signing with brands, and buying things like houses. Let’s look at how she earned her money.

Money from WNBA

Griner started playing for the Phoenix Mercury in 2013. She played there for 11 years. In 2025, she joined the Atlanta Dream. Her WNBA pay is not very high. In 2024, she made $150,000. In 2025, she signed a deal for $214,466 for one year.

Over her career, she earned about $1.5 million from the WNBA. Her first contract was $200,000 for four years. Later, she got bigger deals, like $664,000 for three years. WNBA players don’t earn as much as NBA players, so she looked for other ways to make money.

Playing in Other Countries

Griner played basketball in other countries to earn more. In 2013, she played in China for $600,000 in four months. That was much more than her WNBA pay. From 2014 to 2021, she played in Russia for up to $1 million each season. She is believed to have earned around $1.5 million from her time in Russia, according to multiple estimates.

She won many awards in Russia, like four EuroLeague titles. But in 2022, she got in trouble in Russia. She was arrested for having vape cartridges with hash oil. She was in jail for 10 months. The U.S. helped free her in a prisoner swap. Now, she only plays abroad for the Olympics.

Deals with Brands

Griner makes a lot from brand deals. In 2013, Nike gave her $1 million to wear their clothes. She was the first openly gay athlete to sign with Nike. She modeled men’s clothes, which was cool for her. In 2019, Nike used her in a Pride Month ad.

In 2023, Puma signed her for a big deal. It was the biggest shoe deal for a female basketball player. She also worked with Gatorade, Beats by Dre, and others. These deals help her make money and be famous.

Image: Brittney Griner in Puma shoes, playing basketball. Alt text: Brittney Griner net worth boosted by Puma endorsement deal.

Buying Things and Writing Books

Griner made smart choices with her money. She owns part of a company called Shoot 360. It helps people train for basketball. She wrote two books. One, called In My Skin, came out in 2014. The other, Coming Home, came out in 2024. It talks about her time in Russia.

She also owns houses. One is in Houston, Texas. It’s worth over $7 million now. Another is in Phoenix, Arizona, where she lives with her wife, Cherelle. She has nice cars, like a Jeep Wrangler and a Range Rover.

Helping Others

Griner gives back to people. She started the Heart and Sole Shoe Drive to give shoes and food to those who need them. She helps groups that stop bullying and support LGBTQ people. In 2017, she gave $5,000 to rebuild a youth center in Phoenix. In 2023, she won a WNBA award for helping others. This shows she is kind and trusted.

Her Basketball Wins

Griner is amazing at basketball. Here are some of her big wins:

  • WNBA champion in 2014.
  • Ten-time WNBA All-Star.
  • Won three Olympic gold medals (2016, 2020, 2024).
  • Best college player in 2012 and 2013.
  • Holds WNBA record for most blocks in a game (11).

In 2024, she scored 17.8 points per game. She also blocked many shots. These wins make her a star, which helps her get brand deals.

Why WNBA Players Earn Less

WNBA players like Griner don’t earn as much as NBA players. An NBA player makes about $5.4 million a year. A WNBA player makes about $120,600. In 2024, the top WNBA salary was $241,984. Griner said, “We earn 250 times less than NBA players.”

This is why she played in other countries. But playing abroad can be risky, like her time in Russia. She now pushes for better pay in the WNBA. She wants more people to watch women’s basketball to help players earn more.

Her Life and Struggles

Griner had a tough time growing up. Kids bullied her for being tall. She told people she was a lesbian in high school. Her dad didn’t like it at first, but he later supported her. She became a voice for LGBTQ people.

In 2015, she married Glory Johnson, but they split up after trouble. In 2019, she married Cherelle Watson. They had a son, Bash, in 2024. Griner says being a mom makes her play better.

Her time in Russia in 2022 was hard. She was arrested and scared. After 10 months, she came home. Fans cheered when she played again in 2023. She showed she is strong.

How She Built Her Money

Griner’s $5 million came from many places:

  • Playing in the WNBA.
  • Playing in China and Russia.
  • Signing with brands like Nike and Puma.
  • Writing books.
  • Buying houses and a company.

She worked hard and made smart choices. Even after tough times, she kept going.

Why Her Story Is Big

Griner’s story is about more than money. It shows how women in sports work hard but earn less. She fights for fair pay and helps others. Her life inspires people to keep trying, no matter what.

In 2025, she plays for the Atlanta Dream. Her contract is for one year. She can choose what to do next. Her brand deals and houses keep her money growing.

Final Thoughts

Brittney Griner’s net worth of $5 million shows her hard work. She earned it from basketball, brand deals, and smart choices. Her story teaches us about strength and helping others. What do you think of her journey? Share your ideas below!

Disclaimer:

The details in this article, such as Brittney Griner’s net worth, brand deals, and other facts, are based on public news and reports that were available in 2025. The actual numbers may be different from what is shared here. This article is made to inform and entertain readers. It should not be taken as legal advice, financial advice, or any kind of professional help.

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