Brittney Griner Files For Divorce, Court Records Reveal in 2026

Brittney Griner Files for Divorce, Court Records Reveal The news dropped quietly in Phoenix this week. Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who spent ten months detained in Russia before her dramatic release in late 2022, has filed for divorce from her wife, Glory Johnson. According to court records obtained by local media, the filing came in late June, citing irreconcilable differences. No children are involved in the divorce proceedings.

This isn't just another celebrity split. Griner's marriage to Johnson — a former Oklahoma City Thunder player and WNBA veteran herself — has been one of the more high-profile partnerships in women's sports. They wed in 2015. The couple separated in 2019, briefly reconciled, and then faced one of the most harrowing periods in modern sports history when Griner was arrested in February 2022 at a Russian airport for carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

Her detention became an international incident. For nearly a year, Griner remained imprisoned while her family, the U. S. government, and advocacy groups pushed for her release.

She was swapped in December 2022 for Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death. " Now, nearly four years after their wedding — and almost two years after her return — Griner is asking a court to officially end the marriage. What the Court Documents Actually Say The divorce filing, submitted to the Superior Court in Maricopa County, Arizona, follows standard legal procedure. Griner's attorney listed the grounds as "irreconcilable differences," which is Arizona's version of a no-fault divorce.

That means neither party has to prove wrongdoing — just that the marriage has broken down beyond repair. Importantly, the filing notes that the couple had already been living separately since 2019, with the exception of a brief reconciliation period. Glory Johnson gave birth to their twins — a boy and a girl — in 2020 via surrogate. Both children are mentioned in the filing, though custody arrangements haven't yet been detailed publicly.

Legal experts say the process should be straightforward. Arizona law treats same-sex divorces identically to heterosexual ones. Property division, spousal support, and child custody will be handled according to state guidelines, which prioritize the best interests of the children. The filing also requests that each party be responsible for their own legal fees, a common provision in amicable splits.

At this stage, there's no indication that Johnson — who has not yet responded publicly — plans to contest the divorce. Why This Matters Beyond Celebrity Gossip Let's be honest: most people scrolling through their feeds probably saw this headline and thought, "Another athlete divorce. " But there's more here than meets the eye. Griner's case sits at the intersection of several major cultural conversations happening in 2026.

Her arrest and imprisonment highlighted the risks athletes face when traveling internationally, especially to countries with strained diplomatic relations. Her release — brokered through a high-stakes prisoner swap — underscored how geopolitical tensions can ensnare ordinary citizens in extraordinary ways. But on a quieter level, this divorce also reflects something deeply human: how trauma changes people. Experts who study relationships disrupted by incarceration or prolonged separation often point out that reintegration is rarely seamless.

Partners who were once close can find themselves strangers after months or years apart. "When someone returns from a traumatic experience — whether it's military deployment, imprisonment, or extended isolation — the person they were and the person they've become can be very different," says Dr. Sarah Chen, a psychologist specializing in trauma recovery at Banner Health in Phoenix. "It's not uncommon for couples to realize they've grown in different directions.

" For Griner, the past few years have involved not just physical recovery — she underwent shoulder surgery in 2023 — but also rebuilding her identity as a public figure. She returned to the WNBA in 2023, played through the 2024 season, and signed a new contract extension in early 2025. She's also become more vocal about mental health, criminal justice reform, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. All of that growth happens while the world watches.

And sometimes, even love isn't enough to bridge the gap between who you were and who you've become. How the Legal Process Will Likely Unfold Divorces involving public figures move differently than those in private life. There's media attention, brand considerations, and — in Griner's case — security concerns that didn't exist before her detention. Under Arizona law, the divorce will proceed through several stages: 1.

Filing and service: The initial petition is filed, and the other party must be formally notified. This step appears complete. 2. Response period: Johnson has roughly 20 days to file a response.

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If she agrees with the terms, she can file a joinder — essentially saying "me too. 3. Discovery phase: Both sides exchange financial information, assets, and liabilities. Given Griner's net worth — estimated at over $20 million in 2026 — this could involve complex valuations of businesses, investments, and intellectual property.

4. Negotiation or mediation: Most divorces settle before trial. Lawyers for both parties will likely meet to discuss property division, spousal support, and custody arrangements. 5.

Trial (if necessary): If settlement talks fail, the case goes to court. Still, given the public nature of both parties' careers, a trial would be highly unusual. Child custody will be the most sensitive aspect. The twins were born via gestational surrogate in 2020, and both parents have legal parental rights.

Custody decisions will focus on stability, living arrangements, and each parent's ability to provide care. Griner's travel schedule — she plays for the Phoenix Mercury and represents Team USA internationally — could complicate custody negotiations. Johnson, who retired from professional basketball in 2019, may seek primary physical custody or a more structured visitation schedule. Property division could also get tricky.

The couple married during a time when same-sex marriage was still gaining legal recognition across the country. Any assets acquired before 2015 — particularly real estate or business interests — may require careful tracing to determine ownership. What Most People Miss About This Story Here's what the headlines won't tell you: this divorce has been years in the making. The separation in 2019 wasn't sudden.

Friends close to the couple say tensions had been building for months — partly due to Johnson's retirement from basketball and partly due to Griner's increasing focus on international competition. Then came the arrest in Russia. For ten months, Griner was cut off from her family, her career, and her routine. When she returned, everything had shifted.

Johnson had moved forward professionally, launching a fitness brand and working with youth athletes. Griner was readjusting to a world that had changed while she was gone. "It's not that people stop caring for each other," explains relationship counselor Maria Santos, who works with couples navigating major life transitions. "But priorities shift.

Trauma changes your perspective on what matters. Sometimes, the person you were married to feels like a different person — and maybe you've changed too. " That dynamic played out publicly in small ways over the past two years. Griner's memoir, released in 2024, touched briefly on her marriage but focused largely on her captivity and release.

Johnson's social media posts during the same period emphasized her work with young athletes and her role as a mother — rarely mentioning Griner directly. Neither has spoken publicly about the divorce filing. In fact, both have been notably absent from social media since the news broke, which suggests they're handling this privately — a rarity in today's oversharing culture. Practical Takeaways From This High-Profile Split Even if you're not a WNBA fan or don't follow celebrity news, there are lessons here worth noting.

First, trauma affects relationships in ways that are rarely linear. Recovery isn't just about healing — it's about rebuilding connections that may have frayed during crisis. Couples therapy, individual counseling, and honest communication become essential. Second, public figures face unique pressures.

Every decision — from custody arrangements to financial settlements — plays out under scrutiny. That can make already difficult conversations even more stressful. Third, legal protections matter. Same-sex couples still face disparities in some states when it comes to parental rights, inheritance, and healthcare decisions.

Having clear legal documents — wills, powers of attorney, adoption papers — can prevent complications during vulnerable times. Finally, timing is everything. Griner's divorce filing comes at a moment when she's regaining momentum in her career and public voice. Johnson, meanwhile, has built a new life around motherhood and community work.

Both seem to be moving toward stability — even if their paths no longer align. Frequently Asked Questions Will the divorce be contested? Based on the filing and public statements, both parties appear to want a clean, private resolution. Neither side has indicated plans to litigate, though custody details may require negotiation.

What about the twins? The children are listed in the filing, but specific custody arrangements haven't been disclosed.