The Seattle Storm coaching staff, led by head coach Cathy Engelbert, is now under investigation for alleged player mistreatment during the 2024 season. This development comes just three months after Dearica Hamby’s lawsuit against the Las Vegas Aces coaching staff. According to Annie Costabile’s Chicago Sun-Times report, a law firm is probing accusations of harassment and bullying tied to on-court performance from incidents at practices and games. While multiple players’ experiences sparked the investigation, WNBA veteran Skylar Diggins-Smith is notably linked to the controversy.

Rachel Annamarie DeMita expressed concerns about the Seattle Storm in a video on her YouTube channel, stating, “Something truly sinister is going on with the Seattle Storm… or not, we’re going to have to wait until more details emerge.” She noted that the investigation points to a larger issue within the WNBA – hypocrisy. DeMita shared her personal experience with Nneka Ogwumike, saying, “I’m not going to sit here and say a bunch of negative things about Nneka. I actually know Nneka; I’ve worked with Nneka – she has been nothing but lovely every time I’ve been around her.”

Senior players, including Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, are allegedly at the center of the turmoil, with their social media activity fueling rumors of deeper issues within the locker room. Notably, Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith unfollowed teammate Jewell Loyd on X, while Diggins-Smith’s cryptic Instagram posts hint at more than just basketball drama. As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about the true extent of the Storm’s internal struggles, leaving fans wondering if this is just the beginning of the team’s turmoil.

However, she questioned Ogwumike’s silence on the matter. In the video, DeMita highlighted the WNBA PA’s swift response to reporter Christine Brennan’s question about Darrion Carrington’s intentional eye poke, quoting their statement: “We see you, we don’t stand by that… that was a loaded question.” DeMita also mentioned the WNBA PA’s history of speaking out, noting, “They are so quick to make statements, to come out and say something, and to also put down other players, media, anyone who doesn’t speak out about things that they think should be spoken out about.”

DeMita observed, “It does feel a little strange and hypocritical when something like this is coming out… where there is supposedly player mistreatment and no one has said a thing.” She referenced the WNBA’s reputation as an “activist league,” where players and officials emphasize using their voices for positive change, stating, “This league is an activist league, and they are going to use their voices, and they are going to try to make the world a better place, and this league is for women; they’re going to fight for women’s rights, going to do all of these things.”  One more thing worth noting is that the team has been facing some inarguable leadership problems.

Seattle Storm struggle with leadership issues

The Seattle Storm’s 2024 WNBA season was a sobering reminder that talent alone can’t guarantee success. After losing legendary leaders Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd was thrust into uncharted territory as the team’s new leader. To fill the void, the Storm brought in seasoned veterans Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. However, despite coaching staff support, Diggins-Smith’s leadership style failed to resonate with her teammates.

As the season unfolded, tensions simmered beneath the surface. Diggins-Smith’s candid admission—”I know I may not be everyone’s cup of tea in that locker room“—proved prophetic. The ongoing investigation into the coaching staff’s alleged mistreatment has only added to the uncertainty, with Diggins-Smith at the forefront of the controversy. The team’s inability to find cohesive leadership has hindered its success, leaving fans wondering about the franchise’s future.

The Storm’s struggles serve as a stark reminder: leadership matters. To reclaim their status as a WNBA powerhouse, they must prioritize rebuilding trust and finding a unified voice. It won’t be easy, but the Storm can rise again with self-reflection and a commitment to change.