The WNBA’s Seattle Storm have launched an investigation into its coaching staff following allegations of player mistreatment and “bullying.”
The claims surfaced following the team’s 2024 season. Despite a commendable record of 25-15, the club was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces.
That’s when things got worse for the team from a public relations standpoint.
Accusations from players center around incidents during practices and games. The allegations focus on how player performance was critiqued and handled by the coaching staff. Now, the team has had to hire investigators to look into the alleged “bullying.”
ESPN notes that head coach Noelle Quinn at one point during the season expressed disappointment over a lack of effort from her players.
“I will be better. Our team will be better,” Quinn said. “Effort will never, ever be a thing for us again.”
WNBA Team’s Coaches Accused Of ‘Bullying’ Players
Despite the investigation having been ongoing for weeks, according to the reports, there is very little information about which players were targeted or which coaches were involved.
Both the WNBA Players’ Association and the league itself acknowledged it was aware of the investigation into bullying by the Storm staff. However, they each declined to comment on the reports.
The Storm’s current coaching staff consists of Quinn and:
- Assistant Coach and Associate General Manager: Pokey Chatman
- Assistant Coach: Ebony Hoffman
- Assistant Coach: Perry Huang
Quinn transitioned from a successful playing career to coaching. She has been pivotal in leading the Storm to their success, rebounding after a difficult 2023 season.
Quinn won a WNBA championship as both a player (2018) and associate head coach (2020). She became the first Black head coach in Storm franchise history when she was appointed in 2021.
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Not The First Such Case
This isn’t the first time a WNBA team has had action taken in regard to alleged bullying and harassment. Dearica Hamby, a former player for the Las Vegas Aces, filed a federal lawsuit against both the Aces and the league writ large back in September.
Hamby alleged discrimination and retaliation due to her pregnancy. She claimed that after revealing her second pregnancy in 2022, she faced intimidation, was forced to vacate team-provided housing, and was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023 as a direct result.
That lawsuit’s outcome is still yet to be decided.
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