Brittney Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, after eight years of marriage and is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their 2-year-old son.
According to court documents obtained by People, the WNBA veteran submitted the complaint in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia on July 30.
The filing lists July 24 as the couple’s separation date and describes the marriage as “irretrievably broken,” with “no hope of reconciliation.”
Neither Brittney nor Cherelle has publicly explained what led to their separation.
The Filing Addresses Custody, Property and Debts
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Brittney is requesting joint legal and physical custody of the couple’s son, Bash, who was born in July 2024. She is also asking for child support to be determined and for the couple’s marital assets and debts to be divided equitably.
The filing states that Brittney should retain property she considers separate and nonmarital, including assets acquired before the marriage and property received through inheritance or as an individual gift. Her attorney, Randall Kessler, indicated that the parties hope to avoid a prolonged public dispute.
“This is a matter we hope the parties can resolve privately,” Kessler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “There is no further comment at this time.”
The Filing Lists a Different Wedding Year Than Earlier Profiles
The divorce complaint states that Brittney and Cherelle married on June 18, 2018. Previous interviews and published relationship timelines frequently identified June 2019 as their wedding date. The couple first met while attending Baylor University in Texas and later reconnected after graduation.
Their marriage received international attention after Brittney was detained at a Moscow-area airport in February 2022 when authorities found cannabis oil in her luggage. Cherelle became one of the most visible advocates for her release, participating in interviews, meeting with U.S. officials and urging the federal government to continue negotiating for her return.
Brittney was convicted and sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison before returning to the United States in a prisoner exchange in December 2022. She publicly thanked Cherelle and the others who had campaigned for her release.
They Welcomed Bash Through IVF in 2024
Brittney and Cherelle announced in April 2024 that they were expecting their first child together through in vitro fertilization. Bash was born that July, shortly before Brittney traveled to France to compete for the United States at the Paris Olympics.
During a joint podcast interview published in June 2026, the couple discussed choosing a donor, continuing their family plans after Brittney’s imprisonment and adjusting to parenthood. Cherelle said the emotional effects of the Russian detention remained present when they resumed the IVF process.
“I don’t even know if we both were in a soft place when we decided to still continue with our plan to have Bash,” she said, according to People. She explained that she tried to reduce stress during the process because both of them were still dealing with the aftermath of Brittney’s detention.
Brittney Praised Cherelle Weeks Before the Separation
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On July 1, Brittney marked Cherelle’s 33rd birthday with an Instagram carousel featuring family trips, affectionate moments and photographs with Bash. “Can’t let the day end without telling the Best Mother and Spouse Happy Birthday!” she wrote, according to People’s report on the tribute.
Brittney added that she and Bash were grateful for every day and year they had with Cherelle. Cherelle’s own birthday post appeared to show that Brittney celebrated with her in person, including decorations and balloons that read, “Happy Birthday Baby.”