WNBA star Brittney Griner has withdrawn from her scheduled appearance at the Women Grow Leadership Summit in Maryland after discovering a troubling note in her hotel room.
Griner, who was set to speak at the event on Monday, canceled her speech after finding a piece of duct tape in the entrance to her hotel room at the Gaylord National Resort. The tape bore the words “Gay Baby Jail,” which led to concerns for her safety.
The Prince George’s County Police Department confirmed to The Advocate that it was notified by Gaylord National Resort staff about the unusual discovery. Police said they do not currently believe the note was a targeted threat against Griner.
“Detectives have learned the phrase ‘gay baby jail’ is commonly used as a reference in video games,” the police department stated. “At the time the tape was located, a large convention was taking place at the Gaylord, attracting thousands of attendees, many of whom were anime and video game enthusiasts.”
The department assured that no connection between the message and Griner has been established. They are continuing to investigate the situation, working to determine who placed the tape, when it occurred, and the intent behind it. Police also encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Griner, 33, has faced her own set of high-profile challenges in recent years. In February 2022, she was arrested in Russia after authorities found a small amount of cannabis oil in a vape cartridge while she was in Moscow to play basketball during the WNBA off-season. She was convicted on drug charges and sentenced to nine years in prison. After months of intense negotiations, Griner was released from a Russian labor camp on December 8, 2022, as part of a high-stakes prisoner exchange brokered by the Biden administration.
Chanda Macias, CEO of Women Grow, expressed support for Griner’s decision to withdraw from the summit, stating that safety must come first. “We wholeheartedly support Brittney in prioritizing her safety,” Macias told Marijuana Moment. “We are actively working with the venue and local authorities to investigate the situation and hold those responsible accountable. The safety of every woman at this conference remains our top priority.”
Macias added that the organization’s commitment to empowering women in the cannabis industry would not waver. “Women Grow was founded on the belief that women should be able to lead without fear or intimidation. We will not be silenced. We will continue on,” she emphasized.
Griner, who has previously stated that she will not play overseas again unless it is for the Olympics, was part of the U.S. women’s basketball team that won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She recently signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Dream, following 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury.
The situation has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about safety and harassment faced by public figures, especially women, in both the sports and business worlds. While Griner’s decision to step back from the event was made in response to the unsettling incident, her supporters and organizers at Women Grow are committed to ensuring that similar occurrences do not disrupt the safety of those attending future conferences.
At this time, The Advocate has reached out to the Gaylord National Resort, the Women Grow Leadership Summit organizers, and a representative for Griner for further comment, but no additional statements have been issued.
This incident highlights ongoing conversations about the need for greater accountability and vigilance in public spaces, particularly as more high-profile events continue to be held in large venues that attract diverse groups of attendees. As the investigation continues, many are left to wonder what motivated the placement of such a disturbing message and whether this is part of a broader pattern of harassment in public settings.
