DALLAS— Current WNBA superstar Brittany Griner and the WNBA team she plays for were confronted by a right-wing media personality in the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
According to ESPN, Griner and the Phoenix Mercury were “harassed” by Alex Stein, who is known for his troll-like behavior, as Griner walked through the airport.
“I just met my favorite WNBA player,” Stein said.
The WNBA has posted information regarding the interaction.
“As we gather additional information about today’s incident at the Dallas airport, it has come to our attention that his was orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur. His action were inappropriate and unfortunate. The safety of Brittany Griner and all WNBA players is our top priority. Prior to this season, the WNBA worked together with the Phoenix Mercury and BG’s team to ensure her safety during her travel, which including charter flights for WNBA games and assigned security personnel with her at all times. We remain steadfastly committed to the highest standards of security for players.”
The Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA team Griner plays for said:
“We are reviewing the incident that took place today at the Dallas airport. The health and well-being of our players and staff are our top priority and we will always take every step within our power to protect player safety. We are committed to our support of BG and advocating for all American hostages abroad. We will continue our support of marginalized communities and fighting the kind of hate that targeted us today. No one, regardless of identify, should ever fear for their safety. We will be coordinating with the WNBA on next steps.”
Griner’s teammate, Brianna Turner said in a tweet:
"Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable. Excessive harassment. Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about. We demand better.”
While the WNBA cannot financially support chartered flights and players have to play commercial, Griner has been granted chartered flights for safety reasons.
Alex Stein (left) with Tucker Carlson (right) on Tucker Carlson Today (Contributed: Alex Stien #99 Twitter)
Stein, known online as Primetime 99, has gone after several high-profile individuals. He has made remarks about Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling her his “favorite big booty Latina”, and has also gone after both sides of the aisle. Stein went after Representative Dan Crenshaw.
Other public figures Stein has gone after include Senator Ted Cruz, Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy, and Beto O'Rourke.
On Sunday, Stein released the entire one minute and thirty-three second video on Youtube.
All of this comes from Griner’s 2022 drug arrest in Russia.
On February 17, 2022, Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow by Russian customs after they discovered she had brought a vape cartridge that contained cannabis oils.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, news of Griner’s detainment broke and was reported in the United States.
On August 4, 2022, Griner was found guilty and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Then, in December 2022, it was announced that Griner would be coming home in a prisoner exchange. For Griner, the United Stated exchanged Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death”. Bout is a convicted arms dealer and a former Soviet military translator and was arrested in Thailand after trying to ship “an arsenal of military-grad weapons” that would’ve been used to attack American helicopters in Colombia.
The United States traded Bout, who the Michael Braun, the former chief of operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration called “one of the most dangerous men on the face of the Earth”, who’s reputation inspired the 2005 movie “Lord of War” for Griner, who was the first overall draft pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft and has averaged 21.7 points per game this season.
While in Russian prison, Griner penned a letter for President Joe Biden on July 4, 2022, where she pleaded with the Commander in Chief to bring her home. From Griner’s letter:
“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “We are going to use every tool that we possibly can,” and even said that the Russian Federation wrongfully detained Griner.
Griner’s arrest was after she made comments about removing the National Anthem from games and sat in the locker room until the Anthem was over before running on the court. Not just in games, Griner stated about the National Anthem being removed from sports altogether, “Black people didn’t have right at that point. It’s hard disrespecting a song that didn’t even represent all Americans when it was first made.”
After her detainment, conviction, prison time, and prisoner swap, Griner stated the following after her first pre-season game.
“I’m grateful to be here, that’s for sure. I’m not going to take a day for granted. Hearing the National Anthem, it definitely hit different.”
At the end of the day, Griner is a public figure and a professional athlete. The United States traded an incredibly dangerous individual for Griner, who apparently has changed her views on certain issues.
Stein is a comedian, right-wing personality, troll who tries to get a reaction. He makes videos of himself acting outrageous at city council meeting.
The WNBA, Phoenix Mercury, and individuals who disagree with or hate Stein gave, and will continue to give, him exactly what he wanted.
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