Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn recently shared her thoughts regarding a recent investigation into her coaching staff involving accusations of harassment and bullying, which she described as a valuable “learning experience.” The inquiry concluded with no evidence of any misconduct. This marked Quinn’s first public comments since the investigation reached its conclusion.
“I think the organization handled the situation appropriately,” Quinn stated. “The level of communication throughout this entire process was exceptional. I felt a great deal of support, and I believe my staff shared that sentiment. It’s crucial to navigate situations like this correctly, and our organization certainly did.”
The team’s general manager, Talisa Rhea, expressed her trust in Quinn’s leadership and highlighted the potential for success on the court with key players like Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
“First and foremost, we allowed the investigation to run its course, which was vital for maintaining the integrity of the process,” Rhea stated. “Moreover, we’ve remained closely engaged with Noelle throughout the offseason, and it has become apparent through discussions with players that they are eager to be here. They have faith in what we are constructing in Seattle and are enthusiastic about playing under Noelle’s guidance.”
Earlier this month, Ogwumike signed a new contract, further solidifying the team’s core. In the backdrop of these developments, the Storm made the decision to trade star guard Jewell Loyd to Las Vegas, part of a larger three-way deal that granted them the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft. Loyd, a pivotal figure in securing the WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020— the latter occurring with Quinn serving as associate head coach— had requested the trade following the investigation’s outcomes.
Rhea reflected on Loyd’s impact on the organization, saying, “Jewell contributed immensely to our team. Her contributions were significant. Both Noelle and I have celebrated championships with her, and this doesn’t undermine her contributions during her tenure with Seattle. We are grateful for everything she has done. While we move forward with our new roster, we are excited about what this trade has brought us.”
In terms of roster changes, Seattle has re-signed Alysha Clark as a free agent and added Lexie Brown through a trade.
Quinn expressed her optimism about the team’s prospects moving forward, stating, “The roster we have built is impressive—players are eager to play for me and my staff, and they want to be part of this organization. This will clearly demonstrate to our fans what I stand for and what we are building in Seattle. We are a premier organization that upholds values of excellence and integrity. I am committed to leading in this manner and will strive to set an example.”
