An Arizona judge has rejected the WNBA star Brittney Griner's request for a marriage annulment with fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson. This looks like another setback for Griner in her quest to become single again, and a partial victory at least for Johnson.
Johnson had countersued for spousal support and the decision of the court now requires that Griner and Johnson go ahead with the divorce proceedings, rather than just a straight annulment.
The court's decision effectively puts Griner in the position of the head of the family, from the time that Johnson took a one year break from the basketball court to have the twins. It was in June 4 that Johnson, who plays for the Tulsa Shock, announced her pregnancy. It also happened to be the day before Griner petitioned for an annulment, 28 days after their wedding.
A few days after the wedding itself, the WNBA handed down a 7 game suspension (without pay) for both Griner and Johnson due to their involvement in a domestic violence incident, only to have Johnson announce afterwards that she would not play at all this season due to being pregnant. Then a day after Johnson's pregnancy the internet was set alight with gossip, when Griner came forward with the news that she wanted an annulment.
Johnson said to TMZ, "Together we made life changing decisions which impacted our lives collectively, and we both should be held responsible for those decisions."
According to the documents filed by Johnson as a response to Griner's petition for annulment, Glory thought Brittney should assume financial responsibility to take care of her and their growing family.