Storm updates: Jewell Loyd reportedly requests trade; investigation results comes out
A lot has happened this Wednesday evening. Here is the breakdown
Welcome to Beta Basket in English, the English version of Beta Basket. Please, make sure to subscribe to this newsletter and follow me on X and Blue Sky.
Beta Basket is committed to transparent and unbiased journalism. See disclosures here.
This is a general update on the latest developments within the Seattle Storm. If you're not familiar with the challenges facing the organization, I recommend reading Beta Basket’s series, “What the [Bleep] Is Going on with the Seattle Storm?” This series was released following the initial reports of the coaching staff being investigated for alleged mistreatment of players. The story was first reported by Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Not much had happened since—until this afternoon, when Kevin Pelton of ESPN reported that the Seattle Storm investigation had concluded with no violations found. Beta Basket requested and received a statement from the team, which matches the one Pelton published:
“The Storm recently received internal allegations of potential workplace policy violations. The organization retained an outside investigator to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations. The investigation has been completed, and there were no findings of policy violations or any discrimination, harassment, or bullying. To protect the integrity of the process and preserve confidentiality, we chose not to comment while the investigation was ongoing. The Storm will continue to provide a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect.”
Just three hours later, the Chicago Sun-Times broke the news that Jewell Loyd had requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, a report subsequently confirmed by ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Beta Basket had previously written on November 18 that a trade was inevitable, according to sources.
Now what?
Besides the confirmation that Loyd has indeed requested a trade, there isn’t a lot more that media has been made aware of. The Seattle Storm has not responded to a request for a statement regarding the potential trade, and with an expansion draft just two days away, lots of pieces will move quickly.
Stay tuned for more updates.