The relationship between Glory Johnson and Brittney Griner remains one of the most turbulent chapters in modern WNBA history. Long before public interest surged around subsequent developments in Griner's personal life, these two prominent athletes went from intense court competitors to a high-profile romance, an arrest, a hasty marriage, and a historically swift legal unraveling.
To understand what actually happened between Johnson and Griner, you have to look past the tabloid headlines. Their dynamic unfolded under the unforgiving microscope of professional sports media, capturing a complex collision of personal struggles, high-stakes athletic careers, and an eventual messy legal divorce.
From Hardwood Competitors to Romantic Partners
Before they became romantically linked, Johnson and Griner were fierce rivals on opposite sides of the basketball court. Griner dominated as a towering center for the Phoenix Mercury, while Johnson established herself as an elite forward and All-Star for the Tulsa Shock. Every time their teams met, physical play and fierce competitive fire defined the matchup.
Off the court, however, their relationship shifted into a personal romance. They announced their engagement in August 2014, signaling a major union between two marquee WNBA stars. Yet, the path to marriage faced severe turbulence almost immediately. To read more about the background of this, CBS Sports offers an informative summary.
The Arrest and Suspension That Shocked the League
In April 2015, just weeks before their planned wedding, a domestic dispute at their Arizona home resulted in both players being arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Police reports indicated that both women sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
The incident sent shockwaves through professional basketball. The league office swiftly intervened, handing down seven-game suspensions to both Griner and Johnson ahead of the 2015 season. Despite the public fallout and legal charges, the couple chose to stay together, completing plea deals for disorderly conduct and moving forward with their wedding plans.
A 28-Day Marriage and Sudden Annulment Filing
Griner and Johnson married on May 8, 2015, in a ceremony in Phoenix. The marriage lasted less than a month.
On June 4, 2015, Johnson publicly announced that she was pregnant with twin girls conceived via in vitro fertilization using donor sperm. Just one day later, Griner filed paperwork seeking an annulment—or alternatively, a legal separation—citing fraud and duress. Griner alleged in court filings that she had been pressured into the marriage.
"You can call me stupid for believing her, but I trusted this person," Johnson stated as the legal battle escalated into a public dispute over spousal support and financial arrangements.
A judge ultimately denied Griner's request for an annulment, meaning the short-lived union ended instead through standard divorce proceedings, which were finalized in June 2016.
Navigating Parenthood and Post-Divorce Lives
Following the split, Johnson faced a high-risk pregnancy under intense media scrutiny. On October 12, 2015, she gave birth to twin daughters, Ava Simone and Solei Diem, who arrived nearly four months premature. The infants spent months in neonatal intensive care before recovering. Johnson sat out the 2015 WNBA season on maternity leave and later played overseas and with other franchises before stepping away from the league.
Griner continued her dominant career on the court, leading the Mercury, earning multiple All-Star nods, and winning Olympic gold medals. Her later marriage to Cherelle Griner brought renewed public attention to her personal history, frequently drawing retrospective interest back to her initial marriage with Johnson.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long were Glory Johnson and Brittney Griner married?
They were legally married for less than a month. Griner filed for an annulment just 28 days after their wedding ceremony in May 2015.
Do Glory Johnson and Brittney Griner share children?
Yes. They share twin daughters, born in October 2015, who were conceived via IVF during their relationship.
Why was the annulment request denied?
A judge rejected Griner's request to annul the marriage on the grounds of fraud and duress, ruling that the marriage was validly entered into, which led the couple to dissolve the union through standard divorce proceedings instead.
Did the domestic violence arrest impact their basketball careers?
Yes. Following their arrest in April 2015, the WNBA suspended both players for seven games at the start of the regular season.
