President Biden on Friday met with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan "to reiterate his continued commitment to working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely" from Russian detainment, the White House said.
Why it matters: These are Biden's first in-person meetings with the families of Griner and Whelan. For months, both families have urged the Biden administration to bring their loved ones home.
The executive director for the National Basketball Players Association — the NBA's labor union — called for a lifetime ban of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, who was recently suspended for one year over workplace misconduct.
The big picture: Executive director Tamika Tremaglio told ESPN that she was speaking on behalf of players, some of whom have publicly disagreed with the NBA's punishment.
