WNBA star Brittney Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, after eight years of marriage. The Connecticut Sun player filed the petition on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, according to court documents obtained by ABC News.
What the Court Filing Says
The petition states that the couple, who married in June 2018, have been separated since July 24, 2026, and describes the marriage as "irretrievably broken" with no hope of reconciliation. Brittney Griner is asking that she and Cherelle be awarded joint physical custody of their son, Bash, whom the couple welcomed in 2024. The filing also seeks an equitable division of the couple's marital debts and assets.
An attorney for Brittney Griner told ABC News in a statement that the matter is one the parties hope to resolve privately, adding that there was no further comment at this time. Cherelle Griner had not issued a public response as of the filing.
A Marriage Forged Through Public Adversity
Brittney and Cherelle Griner's relationship played out publicly during one of the most closely watched international incidents in recent sports history. In 2022, Brittney Griner was detained by Russian authorities at a Moscow airport after being accused of carrying vaping cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia. She spent 10 months in Russian custody and was sentenced to nine years in prison before being released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange.
Throughout that period, Cherelle Griner, an attorney, was a vocal public advocate for her wife's release, giving interviews and pressing for government action. Speaking to Good Morning America in May 2022, she said she would not rest until her wife returned home. When Brittney Griner arrived back in the United States, she publicly thanked her wife and the many supporters who had campaigned for her release.
Key Facts
- Filed: Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Fulton County Superior Court, Georgia
- Married: June 2018
- Separated since: July 24, 2026
- Grounds cited: Marriage "irretrievably broken," no hope of reconciliation
- Custody request: Joint physical custody of son Bash (born 2024)
- Assets: Brittney Griner is seeking equitable division of marital debts and assets
- Statement: Brittney Griner's attorney says the couple hopes to resolve the matter privately
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Brittney Griner file for divorce? She filed the petition on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia.
How long were Brittney and Cherelle Griner married? They married in June 2018, making it just over eight years of marriage at the time of filing.
Do they have children? Yes, the couple has a son named Bash, born in 2024. The divorce petition requests joint physical custody.
Has Cherelle Griner responded to the filing? As of the latest reports, Cherelle Griner had not publicly responded, and ABC News said it had reached out to her for comment.
Why was Brittney Griner in the news in 2022? She was detained in Russia for 10 months after being accused of carrying an illegal substance, before being released in a prisoner exchange in December 2022. Cherelle Griner was a prominent public advocate for her release during that time.