Honestly, if you’d told anyone back in 2022 that we’d be sitting here in January 2026 talking about Brittney Griner’s transition to a new team and her latest business venture, they might not have believed you. The noise was just too loud back then. But here we are. The latest WNBA news Brittney Griner followers are tracking isn't about international incidents; it’s about a 6-foot-9 veteran finding her footing in a league that has changed almost as much as she has.
BG is a different player now. She’s 35. That’s "veteran" in bold letters. Last season with the Atlanta Dream was, well, it was a bit of a roller coaster. If you look at the raw numbers, they don’t scream "superstar" the way they used to. She averaged 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. For a woman who once practically owned the paint, those are career lows. But stats are kinda like looking at a postcard—you see the picture, but you don't feel the heat or the wind.
Why the Move to Atlanta Actually Matters
Most people were shocked when she left the Phoenix Mercury. She spent 11 seasons there. It was home. But the 2025 move to the Atlanta Dream was about more than just a jersey change. It was a fresh start in a city that has become a massive hub for Black culture and sports.
She signed that one-year, $214,466 deal—the league max at the time—and basically took on a mentorship role. The Dream has a young core with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Having a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the locker room? You can't put a price on that, even if she isn't dropping 20 and 10 every single night.
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The Physical Toll and the "Unrivaled" Factor
Let’s be real: the WNBA is getting more physical and faster. The "Caitlin Clark effect" didn't just bring eyes; it brought a pace that forces traditional centers to sprint more than ever. Griner had a neck injury that sidelined her for a bit last August, and when she came back, she was coming off the bench.
That was a huge headline: Griner demoted to the bench. But was it a demotion or just smart coaching? The Dream's head coach at the time noted her leadership didn't waver. And now, as we head into the 2026 season, she’s keeping the rust off by playing in the Unrivaled league. If you haven't heard of it, it's the 3-on-3 league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Griner is suited up for Vinyl BC this winter, playing alongside Rhyne Howard again.
It’s smart. 3-on-3 is half-court. It’s less running, more skill, and keeps her touch sharp without the grueling full-court grind of 40 minutes.
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The Business of Being BG in 2026
Griner isn't just a basketball player anymore; she’s a founder. This just dropped a few days ago, but she launched a company called Zennjet.
It’s basically a travel membership service for people who need to carry prescription medications across borders—specifically medical cannabis. It’s a direct response to what happened to her in Moscow. She’s using her trauma to build a safety net for others. Honestly, it’s one of the most "full circle" moments we’ve seen in sports business lately.
Breaking Down the 2026 Financials
People always want to talk about the money. Is she rich? Yeah. Is she "NBA rich"? Not even close.
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- WNBA Salary: She's an unrestricted free agent right now. Expect her next deal to hover around that $215k-240k mark, depending on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks.
- Endorsements: Her Nike deal is still a cornerstone. She was the first openly gay athlete to sign with them back in 2013, and that partnership has only deepened.
- Puma Partnership: In 2023, she also inked a deal with Puma to lead their women’s basketball category.
- Net Worth: Analysts estimate her net worth between $5 million and $8 million. A huge chunk of that actually came from her years playing in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg, where she was reportedly making over $1 million a year.
What's Next for the 2026 Season?
There’s a lot of chatter about whether she’ll stay in Atlanta or look for a "contender" for one last ring. She won a championship with Phoenix back in 2014. That feels like a lifetime ago.
The WNBA is expanding. The competition is fierce. Some fans think she should retire while she's still a household name, but if you watch her play in the Unrivaled league right now, the footwork is still there. The height isn't going anywhere. She’s still the tallest active player in the league.
Common Misconceptions About Griner Today
- "She’s washed." Not really. She’s just playing a different role. You don't need 20 points to influence a game when you're 6'9" and can alter every shot that comes near the rim.
- "She hates traveling now." Understandable theory, but she's actually more vocal than ever about athlete safety. Her new company proves she’s tackling the travel anxiety head-on rather than hiding from it.
- "She’s the highest-paid player." Actually, with the new wave of rookies and the massive NIL deals they brought from college, stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are catching up or passing her in total earnings through endorsements, even if their base WNBA salary is lower.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re following the WNBA news Brittney Griner beat, there are a few things you should actually do rather than just reading the headlines:
- Watch the Unrivaled League: If you want to see if she still has the "it" factor, watch the Vinyl BC games this month. The spacing in 3-on-3 gives her way more room to operate than the congested WNBA paints.
- Monitor the Free Agency Wire: February is the "hot zone" for WNBA signings. Watch if Atlanta clears cap space or if a team like the Las Vegas Aces looks for a veteran backup center.
- Check Out Zennjet: If you travel with prescriptions, her new venture actually provides legal resources that are pretty unique in the travel insurance space.
- Look for her Memoir: If you haven't read Coming of Age (released a couple of years back), it gives the necessary context for why she plays the way she does now. It’s not just about basketball; it’s about perspective.
The 2026 season is going to be a defining one for Brittney Griner. Whether she’s a starter or a veteran presence off the bench, her impact on the league’s visibility and the conversation around athlete rights is already permanent. She doesn't have anything left to prove, but she clearly still has a lot left to give.