A toxic workplace environment brews in Seattle for the Storm

Seattle Storm point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith exclaims during the teams win over the Washington Mystics at Climate Pledge Arena on May 25th, 2024. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)

By Christan Braswell

Seattle, WA - As Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Friday night, the Seattle Storm is being investigated for alleged player mistreatment by the coaching staff.

“A law firm hired by the team is looking into accusations of alleged harassment and bullying tied to on-court performance against the coaching staff, 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 that the investigation has been active for at least two weeks,” Costabile wrote.

After the initial report was released, the picture formed into focus in the hours following.

In a search for on-court leadership last offseason, Seattle ventured into free agency in search of a veteran point guard with the ability to lead the team. That search didn’t last long as they came out victorious with All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith signing on the dotted line for a two-year deal.

What transpired since couldn’t have been what Storm leadership expected in the first season.

While the focus of the investigation lies in the complaints of player mistreatment from the coaching staff, it is imperative to note how the transgressions flowed unimpeded on the court.

In a separate report Friday night, multiple sources confirmed to Circling Seattle Sports that Diggins-Smith led several outbursts laced with vulgarity during practices directed at teammates.

Circling Seattle Sports can also confirm that Quinn not only embraced this leadership style but also encouraged it, rather than adhering to multiple complaints. This led to players going over her head to general manager Talisa Rhea. Instead of working to diffuse the situation, Seattle’s front office and ownership allowed the problem to fester and boil over into repeated instances of verbal abuse from Quinn and Diggins-Smith.

Seattle Storm point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith drives to the paint during the teams win over the Washington Mystics at Climate Pledge Arena on May 25th, 2024. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)

On several occasions throughout the season, Quinn noted how Diggins-Smith was a reflection of the coaching staff on the court as the point guard. Given the current information, it raises the question of what the staff considers positive in Diggins-Smith's treatment of her teammates.

Seattle was one of the top teams in the first half of the season, finishing with a 17-8 record before the Olympic break. The team’s chemistry took a nose dive in the second half to the point where it appeared impossible to maneuver out of.

Several issues at hand caused the freefall, but Quinn’s continued disinterest in misconduct was one of the largest ones. As one source confirmed to Circling Seattle Sports, the wins were rolling in and it was seen as necessary to combat a condensed season in an Olympic year.

Quinn and Diggins-Smith come from an era where this method of coaching and leadership was tolerated. It built winning programs on all levels of sport. The thing about the old days is that they are the old days for a reason.

There are ways to get the most out of your players and teammates without vituperation and an utter lack of respect for all involved.

For Diggins-Smith, this represents yet another instance in the WNBA where personnel issues have arisen, and she is part of the dysfunction. Her history with the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury is well documented and provides a track record of identical outbursts, which have been caught on video for years.

The main issue is that a complaint was never made public until now. Diggins-Smith’s leadership style has been praised by many throughout her career, from Notre Dame to the WNBA. From the outside looking in, former teammates seemed to respond well until they didn’t.

One of the most valuable qualities of a comprehensive leader is the ability to nurture a variety of relationships based on experiences and treatment preferences. One broad stroke across the canvas of relationship building doesn’t paint a picture of understanding. Certain segments require a certain level of finesse while others are independent.

Throughout Diggins-Smith’s career, this trait in particular was never activated.

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Check out Circling Seattle Sports’ previous Seattle Storm articles here.

Cover photo and photos in this article by Circling Seattle Sports’ Rio Giancarlo. Check out his portfolio here.

Check out Circling Seattle Sports’ previous articles written by Christan Braswell here, and follow Christan on Twitter.

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