Storm being investigated for alleged player mistreatment: source

The Storm’s coaching staff is under investigation for alleged player mistreatment, a WNBA source told the Sun-Times on Friday.

A law firm hired by the team is looking into accusations of alleged harassment and bullying by the coaching staff tied to on-court performance during the 2024 season, a source said. The allegations stem from incidents that happened at practice and during games. An email from the law firm, obtained by the Sun-Times, showed the investigation has been active for at least two weeks.

The Storm declined to comment when contacted by the Sun-Times. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association confirmed that it was aware of an investigation of a team but declined to provide further details. The WNBA did not return the Sun-Times request for comment.

Noelle Quinn was promoted to coach in 2021 after longtime coach Dan Hughes retired. She served as an assistant on Hughes’ staff for two seasons. Assistant Perry Huang has been on her bench since 2021 and assistant Ebony Hoffman since 2022. In 2022, the Storm added former Sky coach Pokey Chatman as an assistant coach. The next year, Chatman added the title of associate general manager, working alongside GM Talisa Rhea. Quinn signed a multiyear contract extension last year.

The Storm’s roster experienced substantial change last offseason with the acquisitions of guard Skylar Diggins-Smith and forward Nneka Ogwumike in free agency.

The Storm finished 25-15 this year and were swept by the Aces in a best-of-three first-round playoff series. They were 11-29 in 2023.

According to one league source, the investigation was sparked by multiple players’ experiences.

Six players will be unrestricted free agents in January, including Ogwumike, center Mercedes Russell and guard Sami Whitcomb. Niles West product Jewell Loyd will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 after signing a two-year contract extension last year.