(Headline USA) WNBA coach Vanessa Nygaard complained this week about the low turnout for Brittney Griner’s second game back following her detainment in Russia.
Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, faced off against the Los Angeles Sparks over the weekend during a game that attracted just 10,396 fans to the Crypto.com stadium, which can hold 19,000 people. Griner scored 18 points in 25 minutes, a “great” accomplishment that should have been applauded by a sold-out crowd, according to Nygaard.
“I mean, it was great. But like honestly, c’mon now LA. We didn’t sell out the arena for BG?” Nygaard said. “Like, I expected more, you know, to be honest. Right, it was great, it was loud. But how was it not a sellout? How was it not a sellout?”
Among those in attendance were NBA legend Magic Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris tweeted her support for Griner during the game, saying, “Brittney Griner’s return to the court is an inspiration to our nation — and is a testament to her strength and courage.”
On average, Mercury games only draw about 5,600 fans, according to ESPN.
Griner’s return to the court grabbed attention for another reason: the leftist athlete stood for the National Anthem instead of kneeling during it in protest, as had been her wont. When asked why she decided to stand, Griner admitted that her detainment in Russia made her more appreciative of her country.
“You have the right to protest, the right to able to speak out, question, challenge and do all these things. What I went through and everything, it just means a little bit more to me now. So I want to be able to stand. I was literally in a cage and could not stand the way I wanted to,” Griner said after the game
“Just being able to hear my national anthem, see my flag, I definitely want to stand,” she continued. “Now everybody that will not stand or not come out, I totally support them 100%. That’s our right, as an American in this great country.”
