Former Seattle Storm head coach Noel Quinn has criticized the WNBA, alleging racial inequality among coaching staff in the league. Quinn was dismissed by the Storm soon after the 2025 season following the team’s consecutive first-round playoff exits.
Now serving as the inaugural coach for Breeze BC in the Unrivaled League, Quinn made these remarks during a media event on Thursday. When asked by The Athletic’s Ben Pickman about the discrepancy of having five Black female coaches in the Unrivaled League but none in the WNBA, Quinn responded by suggesting the lack of Black coaches in the WNBA seemed deliberate.
Quinn stated, “It’s not a coincidence. I think it’s intentional. Representation can happen if leadership decides to make it happen.” When questioned about a potential return to coaching in the WNBA, she replied, “We’ll see.”
Her comments come amid ongoing collective bargaining agreement talks that have strained relations between players and league officials. Meanwhile, Sonia Laman has been appointed the new head coach of the Seattle Storm, succeeding Quinn. Laman has a background in law and has worked at Fidelity Investments and the U.S. Department of Labor before her coaching career.
Fan Take: Noel Quinn’s remarks shine a spotlight on an important issue of diversity and inclusion within the WNBA’s coaching ranks. Addressing these disparities isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s crucial for the growth and credibility of the league as a leader in equality in professional sports.
