Seattle Storm’s Coaching Staff Under Investigation After Players File Complaints of Bullying & Harassment Against Team Leadership

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The Seattle Storm teaching employees is beneath investigation for alleged mistreatment of gamers, in response to an explosive report.

A number of gamers have reportedly lodged complaints, accusing the Storm’s teaching employees, led by Noelle Quinn, of harassment and bullying throughout video games and practices. The alleged incidents had been tied to gamers’ on-court performances. A legislation agency employed by the crew has been investigating these allegations for a minimum of two weeks.

That is stunning for these aware of Quinn’s background, contemplating her pivotal function inside the franchise. She was a part of the Storm’s 2018 title crew, performed for the group throughout a number of stints, and joined the teaching employees in 2019. Promoted to affiliate head coach in 2020 after Dan Hughes’ medical departure, Quinn helped lead the crew to a championship that season. After Hughes’ retirement, she turned the crew’s head coach in 2021 and signed a multi-year contract extension in September 2023.

It’s unclear whether or not the complaints are particularly geared toward Quinn, her employees, or each. The assistant teaching roster contains Perry Huang, Ebony Hoffman, and Pokey Chatman.

The timing of this controversy provides one other layer of fear. The Storm went into the offseason with monumental signings: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Ezi Magbegor, and Gabby Williams. Regardless of all this expertise, they completed 25-15 and had been swept by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces within the first spherical of the playoffs. With free company looming for key gamers like Ogwumike, Williams, Mercedes Russell, and Sami Whitcomb, and the disturbing probe, the crew’s future hangs within the steadiness.

This can be a bombshell for the Storm and the WNBA as a complete. An investigation like this might probably tarnish the popularity of one of many league’s most celebrated franchises.