In a bold and unexpected move that has set off shockwaves across both the sports and entertainment industries, WNBA star Brittney Griner has officially announced plans to file a $70 million lawsuit against the daytime talk show The View. In a powerful statement released via her legal team early Tuesday morning, Griner accused the show’s producers and co-hosts of “calculated defamation and manipulation of public opinion,” which she claims directly caused her to pause a flourishing athletic career.

A Career Interrupted

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, has already faced an extraordinary level of public scrutiny in recent years—especially following her detainment in Russia and the subsequent political and media frenzy that followed her release. However, the basketball icon says what came after was even more damaging.

In her legal complaint, Griner alleges that The View “knowingly constructed misleading narratives” around her post-detention media appearances, her public activism, and her personal identity. “Instead of providing a platform for recovery, healing, and growth,” the lawsuit states, “they chose to push conflict, doubt, and speculation.”

While Griner did not name specific hosts in her initial press release, sources close to the matter claim that multiple segments aired in early 2024 painted her as “emotionally unstable” and “too politically charged to lead a WNBA locker room,” leading to corporate sponsors pulling out and team managements expressing concern.

$70 Million for ‘Intentional Harm’

The $70 million lawsuit is not only meant to recover lost earnings from endorsements, speaking engagements, and paused contractual obligations—it’s also a message. Griner’s legal team is accusing The View of “weaponizing influence” in a way that crossed legal and ethical boundaries.

“They didn’t just critique her,” said attorney Michelle Langford. “They distorted her narrative, repeatedly, in ways that had measurable effects on her mental health, her financial future, and her ability to compete in the league she helped elevate.”

Griner’s suit includes demands for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a public apology and a retraction of the segments in question. The legal team also suggested that further evidence—including behind-the-scenes recordings and leaked internal communications from show staff—could be released in coming weeks.

The View Responds — Carefully

So far, The View has responded with a carefully-worded statement acknowledging the lawsuit but denying any intentional wrongdoing. “We are aware of the claims made by Ms. Griner’s team and take them seriously. Our program has always aimed to foster open discussion on public issues while respecting the dignity of our guests.”

However, insiders hint at a growing unease behind the scenes. A former production staffer, speaking anonymously, suggested that producers were “under pressure to go viral” and “knew exactly what kind of headlines they were creating with certain segments.”

A New Chapter Begins

Griner’s case, if it moves forward, could set a major precedent regarding how media platforms treat athletes and public figures—especially those navigating complex personal and political stories.

“I didn’t survive detainment, international headlines, and global scrutiny just to be broken down by a panel show back home,” Griner said in a brief closing remark via her lawyer. “This isn’t about revenge. It’s about reclaiming my voice.”