A conversation about Brittney Griner’s arrest in a Moscow airport and the inequities between men’s and women’s sports that lead to women playing overseas in order to make a living.
On today’s show, host Ibtihaj Muhammad interviews Nneka Ogwumike, the president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, about the efforts she and others in the league have made to keep the spotlight on Brittney Griner. Griner, an eight-time WNBA All-Star, was sentenced in August to nine years in a Russian prison after pleading guilty to drug charges. Russian officials said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s airport.
In the conversation, Ogwumike talks about the injustice of Griner’s case. She also delves into her successes in negotiating the WNBA’s most recent union contract and her quest to end pay inequity in the sport.
About The Long Game: On The Long Game, we highlight stories of courage and conviction on and off the field. From athletes who are breaking barriers for women and girls to a Syrian refugee swimmer who overcame the odds to compete at the Paralympics, The Long Game examines the power of sport to change the world for the better. The Long Game is hosted by Olympic medalist and change agent Ibtihaj Muhammad as she guides the series around the globe to meet athletes who are fighting for change. See All Episodes
More The Long Game episodes:
Boxing Provides a Path Out of Poverty for Girls in Pakistan
A young boxer is using the sport to change her country’s gender norms.
Soccer Opens Path to Reconciliation
A Rwandan soccer player is using the sport to promote unity and tolerance among his country’s youth.
TIBU Africa Changes Lives Through Sports
A former basketball player is changing the lives of African youth through the power of sports.
Other Foreign Policy podcasts:

The Negotiators
The Paris climate agreement. The Iran nuclear deal. The Bring Back Our Girls campaign. How did these deals get made? On The Negotiators, each episode will feature one person telling the story of one dramatic negotiation. Hosted by Jenn Williams, The Negotiators is a production of Foreign Policy and Doha Debates.

I Spy
Spies don’t talk—it’s the cardinal rule of the business. But here at Foreign Policy, we get them to open up. On I Spy, we hear from the operations people: the spies who steal secrets, who kill adversaries, who turn agents into double agents. Each episode features one spy telling the story of one operation. Want swag? Check out I Spy's merch by clicking here.