6 days ago
WNBA team's coaching staff under investigation AGAIN amid star's shock trade demand three weeks into season
The WNBA has launched its second investigation into the Seattle Storm's coaching staff in the space of six months, according to reports.
Back in November of last year, the Storm underwent a league investigation into accusations of harassment and bullying by their coaching staff, only for the results of that inquest to find that no violations were made.
Shortly after Seattle was hit by a shock trade request from six-time All-Star point guard Jewell Loyd, who later revealed she had urged her agent to 'get me out' of the team by whatever means necessary. Loyd was subsequently offloaded to the Las Vegas Aces as part of a three-team trade in January.
Now, according to women's basketball reporter Khristina Williams, the Storm's coaching staff is the subject of another investigation by the WNBA and league security just six months later.
The full extent of what is being investigated is currently unclear. has reached out to the WNBA for more information, while the Seattle Storm declined to comment.
Just before news of the investigation emerged, Williams also reported that Storm star Li Yueru has requested a trade from the team a mere three weeks into the 2025 season.
Per sources: There is currently an investigation being launched into the Seattle Storm coaching staff by the WNBA and league security.
— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) June 4, 2025
Yueru, 26, only signed with Seattle back in February as part of the same three-team trade that sent Loyd to Las Vegas, having spent last season with the LA Sparks and the 2022 campaign with the Chicago Sky.
The Chinese center has spent other seasons playing in both her native country and Turkey over the past decade.
WNBA reporter Roberta F. Rodrigues backed up Williams' claim that Yueru is seeking a move away from Seattle, yet added: 'I have been told that part of that is due to pressure from the Chinese national team since she decided to not participate in the Asia Cup to stay in the USA. They expected her to have a bigger role.'
'I have received even further confirmation that is China led,' she later clarified. 'Their expectations were unrealistic as to what her role with the Storm would be.'
Yueru has played eight times for the Storm so far this season, racking up 2.9 points per game, 1.6 rebounds and 90 percent free-throw accuracy.
