Brittney Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, after eight years of marriage, according to court records filed in Fulton County, Georgia.
The Phoenix Mercury star submitted the legal documents on Thursday, describing the marriage as “irretrievably broken,” a standard legal phrase used in no-fault divorce filings.
Court records indicate the couple separated on July 24, 2026, shortly before the filing was submitted.
The news marks the end of a relationship that drew global attention, particularly during Brittney Griner’s 2022 detention in Russia, when Cherelle became one of the most visible advocates calling for her release.
Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner’s marriage is heading toward divorce after the WNBA star filed legal paperwork in Georgia.
According to court records obtained by Complex, Griner stated that the relationship had become “irretrievably broken.”
The filing indicates the couple officially separated on July 24, 2026, although no additional details about the reason for the split or the terms being requested have been publicly disclosed.
Neither Brittney nor Cherelle Griner has released a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the divorce filing.
The couple’s relationship became widely known during one of the most challenging periods of Brittney Griner’s life.
In 2022, the basketball star was detained in Russia for 10 months after authorities arrested her on drug-related charges.
During that time, Cherelle Griner, a lawyer, publicly advocated for her wife’s return and appeared in media interviews while working with officials involved in efforts to secure Brittney’s release.
Griner was eventually freed in December 2022 through a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.
The divorce filing comes after several major personal and professional milestones for the athlete.
Brittney recently represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and continued her career with the Phoenix Mercury.
The couple also welcomed a baby boy, with Griner previously speaking proudly about becoming a parent and referring to herself as “Pops.”
Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner first met while attending Baylor University before eventually beginning a relationship.
The couple married in 2018 and became one of the most recognizable couples in women’s sports.
Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been one of the WNBA’s most dominant players throughout her career.
Cherelle Griner, who works as a lawyer, became a major public figure during the campaign to bring Brittney home from Russia.
This filing marks Brittney Griner’s second divorce. She was previously married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson, with that marriage ending in 2016 after one year.
Brittney Griner’s divorce filing has drawn attention because of the couple’s public history and the role Cherelle played during one of the most significant moments of Griner’s career.
Their relationship became a symbol of support and resilience during Brittney’s overseas detention, making the legal split a notable development for both sports and entertainment audiences.
However, the filing itself does not provide details about what led to the separation or how issues such as custody or assets may be handled.
The end of a high-profile marriage often brings public attention, especially when a couple has shared major life events in front of the world.
For Brittney and Cherelle Griner, their relationship included moments of intense public support, personal milestones, and challenges that placed them under global attention.
As the legal process continues, both sides have kept details private.
Brittney Griner’s divorce filing begins a new chapter for the WNBA star and Cherelle Griner after eight years of marriage.
The couple’s next steps will unfold through the Fulton County Superior Court process as more details, if any, become available.
