Seattle Seahawks star guard Jewell Loyd has requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. The move comes hours after the team announced an external investigation into reported accusations of harassment and bullying by the coaching staff had concluded without finding any wrongdoing.
Loyd, a six-time All-Star and three-time all-WNBA selection, filed the complaint detailing the allegations against the Seattle staff. The Storm’s internal investigation was completed without finding any policy violations or discrimination, but Loyd’s decision to leave comes amid an already tumultuous season for the team.
The Storm’s coaching staff, led by Noelle Quinn, faced scrutiny last season after a string of reports highlighted concerns over their treatment of players. The team has since taken steps to improve its work environment, but it appears that may not be enough to keep Loyd on board.
Loyd signed a two-year extension in September 2023 and was expected to lead the Storm’s resurgence this season, despite struggling with her shooting percentages. With the team’s free agent signings of Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, many had anticipated a turnaround. However, it seems that Loyd’s departure may be the latest blow to the franchise’s hopes for success.
As a four-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA scoring leader in 2023, Loyd was expected to anchor the Storm’s offense for years to come. Her departure leaves a significant void, especially with the team set to become free agents in 2026.
Source: https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42785886/jewell-loyd-requests-trade-seattle-storm-investigation-concludes-finds-no-violations