The WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury is changing its travel procedures after the team was involved in an incident at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Saturday.
The team was departing for a road game in Indiana after playing two games against the Dallas Wings.
In a video, local social media personality Alex Stein can be seen following Brittney Griner through the airport.
He filmed himself questioning Griner and remarking on the December prisoner swap that freed her from detainment in Russia in exchange for convicted terrorist and arms dealer Viktor Bout. Griner’s security detail can be seen on the video attempting to usher Stein away and stop his recording.
“We are reviewing the incident that took place today at the Dallas airport,” an official statement from the Phoenix Mercury read. “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,” the statement went on. “We will continue our support of marginalized communities and fighting the kind of hate that targeted us today. No one, regardless of identity, should ever fear for their safety. We will be coordinating with the WNBA on next steps.”
Police were later called after Stein allegedly shoved a Phoenix Mercury security employee, but no arrests were made.
The Dallas Express reached out to Stein for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
According to ESPN, the official police report also revealed that the officers helped the Mercury find an area to wait for boarding and accompanied the team as it got on its flight.
“Police officers with the DFW Airport Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a possible disturbance inside an airport terminal,” airport officials explained in a statement.
“Officers arrived quickly and investigated. No arrests were made. The safety and security of our guests and employees is the No.1 priority at DFW and we commend the quick response of our police force, which operates throughout the facility 24/7,” the statement continued.
Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) executive director Terri Jackson told The Washington Post that the incident occurred as the team was trying to get food. The players later explained that they were moved to a more private area.
Mercury Coach Vanessa Nygaard has said that Phoenix will focus on player safety as it alters its future travel plans, and the WNBA has opened an investigation.
“We will ensure that all our players and our organization and our staff are safe,” she told the media as she addressed the incident before Sunday’s game.
“We will be making adjustments that maybe should’ve happened before, but right now we’re going to prioritize the safety of our players,” she added.
The WNBA uses commercial flights for most games but does implement charter flights for the playoffs and under other circumstances.
According to the league, Griner had permission to schedule charter flights, and the league, team, and her representatives had held previous conversations about protecting her as the team travels this season.
“As we gather additional information about today’s incident at the Dallas Airport, it has come to our attention that this was orchestrated by a social media figure and provocateur. His actions were inappropriate and unfortunate,” a statement from the league read. “The safety of Brittney Griner and all WNBA players is our top priority.”
“Prior to the season, the WNBA worked together with the Phoenix Mercury and BG’s team to ensure her safety during her travel, which included 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.”
Nygaard declined to confirm the league’s implications, only saying that league rules prohibit discussing travel policies and that the team “follows the guidelines we were given.”
Griner scored 29 points as the Mercury beat the Indiana Fever 85-82 on Sunday for its second win of the season.
She was not made available to the media after the game.
