Skylar Diggins-Smith Drama 👀: Allegations, Outcomes, and Where to Next! | A Breakdown 

TAKE NOTES: This is how reporting should be done. She reported on as much factual information as possible, without bias and examining both sides. More RU-vidrs and Mainstream Media should report like this. Of course she is human and has her personal opinions, but she doesn't beat us over the head with her personal beliefs. Again TAKE NOTES!!!

GREAT REPORTING & INFORMATION AS USUAL 💪🏾

As a longtime SDS fan, it’s been super frustrating to watch the mercury exclude her this season. I agree that the DT situation last season + Skylar obviously not being a fan of the last coach, likely ruffled some feathers in the organization. BUT no one can deny Skylar was a HUGE reason the mercury stayed afloat last season w/ BG gone and DT barely playing. I thought BG re-signing for just 1yr was quite interesting too. It will be an interesting offseason!! Also, Great video! Good W coverage is hard to come by, we need more serious (unemotional) reporting like this

It's the same reason Candace Wiggins isn't playing.

The mercury are dumb to treat Skylar like that. She’s one of the greatest and had the best season last season. She showed everyone just how good she is. I go where sky goes.

Randomly found this particular video and ican say you gained yourself a new subscriber!! I love your take on this subject. Love your delivery love how your unbiased. You're on your way ma'am and although i just subscribed, i am proud of you ma'am!! Blessings to you and yours!!

Thanks for watching the video guys! I would love to know what you all think of what the Mercury is doing. And where Skylar should go next year. And don’t forget to like the video!

I think her not getting along with DT, sealed the deal for her fate with the team. While DT, is winding down in her career, she still is the face of that organization.

I’m also happy to have found your channel. Great insights. Subscribed.

This is the first time viewing your page 👏🏽👍🏾 Well done, lots of good information presented in a calm and concise fashion. Liked and subscribed, I look forward to your next video. 🙏🏾

I'll blame the organisation the Mercury are making it hard for Skylar

It seems like the minute a woman Athlete gets pregnant whatever team they are on the distance starts. That's shameful on any league that does that. Allyson Felix went through it Tori Bowie also, rip Tori. Skylar deserves better. Glad she put her health first.

I came across your channel recently. You have been good and consistent for a long time. I m glad to be a subscriber.

Finally!! Someone who tells the truth #respectfully✊🏽… DT used to be my fave player… now I see her and automatically get bad vibes

amazing reporting didn't know much about the situation but this helped alot

New subbie! I enjoy the way you report things in your vlogs. Factual, without bias!!!! I don't care for DT although I recognize she's a great player. I love SDS playing abilities and have missed her this season. Phoenix is NOT treating SDS as a member of their team, and although she may not return next season she still should be treated with respect and have full access to all their facilities.

Good stuff my new wnba news outlet. 💯 only watch during playoffs

I really appreciate your video - definitely do more of these topics. Skylar leaving was such a mystery for so long it was crazy being a fan not knowing what happened. When I watch washington I feel like they don’t have a true point guard. they play with two shooting guards that bring up the ball. It would be interesting if she would replace vandersloot for new york. we want her in Nyc - My side topic for another show please tell me why Zia Cooke doesn’t play more she is a beast and on another team she would be a starter. I just think her game struggles because she is not a starter and doesn’t have a full green light yet. thanks for reading

NGL, As a Mercury fan and X-factor, I was truly shocked to read her tweets. Back in the 2021 season, the players did Q&As with the x-factor members and during Skylar's Q&A she talked about a big reason she came to Phoenix was being assured that she would never have to go through what she did at Dallas, hiding a pregnancy. She had been assured, in part by DT herself, that the team and organization would support her in growing her family. It was a great evening and she seems truly happy to be here. Last summer, when she left for the rest of the season, I saw many different theories on it, but not one said what I thought. I instantly thought she had to be pregnant. All signs pointed to it from my perspective, and it turned out to be true. So then seeing this year that the organization isn't providing her with all the amenities the rest of the members on the team have, I'm shocked. use shocked. I've been surprised this whole season that she hasn't shown up to any of the games either. The whole thing just surprises me. It's sad. She's amazing. She had been a great addition to the team. She seemed to truly enjoy playing with her team mates... mostly. Edit to add: So I have to wonder, what exactly changed in 2022?

100% agree on Fever analysis. Winning foundation, plus adding a top 3 pick next offseason.

She's drop dead gorgeous and she can play. There should be another team that would appreciate her. But then again this is the WNBA who got rid of high ranking draft picks like Bre Beal Saxton & Alexis Morris. The WNBA needs to satisfy the fans not their stupid guidelines and rules.

Thanks for posting this video. Last week the Grio posted on Skylar's situation on IG and I got into it with a bunch of trolls who have probably never tuned into a WNBA game.

I'm glad I stumbled onto your video. It's for sure a mysterious subject. Last season the Mercury should have won the whole thing. But with BG imprisoned in a foreign country by well let's just say it how it is an evil dictator that was a giant strike. Then we proceeded to have some major injuries. If we had had DT, BG, Skye, diamond, Charles, Cunningham, nurse, peddy etc we would have been Unstoppable. DT runs everything here. Whatever the problem was which I don't think they would ever tell us, it is definitely Diana. She's been a phenomenal player I'll agree to that. She's done things that very few players have done or will do. Still in my opinion she should have retired already. She may still love the game but she's past her prime. She gives away most of the points she earns. She cries about everything. And no matter how this sounds I still love her. I just think she should retire. We all have our opinions. She will retire within the next couple years and we will have lost the opportunity to have Sky, one of the best players in the WNBA ever to be on our team. It makes me very very very sad not to have her. Sky's quite the fashionista in her spare time. Sporting her unique personal line of clothing. A good fit for her would be LA. Then she could have both careers.😂

Agreed with you on her going to The Fever and building off her, Aliyah Boston, Nylassah Smith, and Grace Berger. That's a really good core group to build around.

Thank you for the content. In the research I’ve done, I still have a lot of questions about this situation: when Skylar left the team before the end of the season last year, the team made note that her contract had been suspended. From what I have seen, I’m led to believe that she still has a year remaining on her contract. I agree that it doesn’t seem right that she doesn’t have access to team facilities and/or amenities, but maybe that at least originated from the suspension of the contract and the CBA terms related to it? I haven’t been able to find a satisfactory answer to that part. But it would make sense with some of the other comments she’s made. Very difficult situation and I think there are hard feelings on both sides, meaning SDS and the Mercury organization. In the end, there are a lot of professional teams that run similar to a small business, so we might not ever get a complete picture. I know the Mercury are definitely feeling her loss this season- both point guards on the roster this season were new acquisitions, so that has been tough. Again, thanks for this video. I believe it will spark some important conversation related to maternity rights of professional athletes.

Andrew Wiggins wasn't all up the the team facility while he was out dealing with a personal matter.

I want Skylar here in Washington come to the mystics

So I just ran across your video..Yes I liked it..Ok yes I am with Sky No Matter What.Phoenix No Comment.But I loved your outtake about the Fever..That would be so Bliss..Love it...Thanks

I think you' re probably right. She's not gonna play for Phoenix again so they're done with her. She's a free agent next year anyway. If she goes to the Mystics, they could also pick up BG and then theyd have all "the three to see" 😊

Skylar Deserves Better!!!

Love your Bears banner Chi town for life!! As far as Skylar i think she's a great player and like her coming out of South Bend, Indy but the Mercury are ready to get rid of her. We'll take her on The Sky!!!!

Loving the convo and the Chicago swag. I am from the City

I know this is an old post-it it seems like Taurasi is the poison pill on that team with regards to culture.

Excellent job!!!!

Thanks for covering this in depth. Can you talk about what’s happening with Aerial Powers? She’s not playing and has expressed a desire to play for another team.

This is a crazy situation. It includes all the weirdness about pregnancy, maternity leave, that happened with Dearica with the Aces. I remember when that happened, I felt so bad for Dearica since Napheesa had had a uneventful pregnancy and maternity and was fine to come back to the Lynx, no problem. (now I am wondering what will happen with Katie Lou with the Sparks) It doesn't make any sense what the Mercury are doing. None at all. I had thought that with Nygard's firing, things would get better but I guess it comes from the very top? They the (Mercury org) seem to be trying to get Diggins-Smith to want a trade? I also think her and Diana don't synch well with Skyler? Diana has a big ego, and she's a star player for the Mercury. I agree with your analogy to LeBron for the Diana/Skyler equation. (Just wondering , but have you ever heard anything about how Brittney gets along with Diana?) Another video I watched about this situation made this out to be a gay thing: He said that the WNBA treats heterosexual women poorly as compared to gay women, since there are more gay women in the WNBA. I think that's incorrect, as 1. Gay women in the WNBA are having children, and 2. A big example of this being incorrect is Napheesa's situation. Skyler needs to go to a team that actually wants her and needs her. I like your idea about her going to the Sky. I guess we'll see what happens.

😎 thanks for the video

great content. Even if she and DT didn't get along...I mean they are professionals who have played on many, many teams. I'm sure as grown wmn, they know how to play with talented players they don't get along with. The media pushing that narrative is v annoying to me. Anyways, Skylar should come to my Mystics next year! Our system would be perfect for her. Have talented vets and young players she can run with. We are well run, and everyone (except Tina C), has complimented the org once they play here.

with the Notre Dame ties, yes Indiana could be a great fit for Skylar, and your theory on why the Mercury is not allowing Skylar access makes sense, but regardless of why it's not caring for the employee.

The elephant in the room is the way the league promotes stars for the casual fans. Taurasi has been the face of the team but hasn't been their bet player for years. That has to create some friction. I could make the same argument for some other squads; IMHO Jackie Young is the best player for the Aces and Ionescu for the Liberty and they don't get enough press.

Wow just coming across this video in June of 2024. This video more relevant now than ever for many different reasons

Really good commentary girl really good you go🎉

Diana Toxic is something else.

I think it for sure is because of DT and DT's clique of players. DT has a large voice for the team. Although, I'm no longer a fan of DT because I find her overly arrogant. A lot of staff ...GMs etc. have a history with her and she has a fan base... you know how the rest of marketing goes. I've been watching WNBA since its inception in 1997 and followed players from college etc. Even know some of the old-school players. I think maternity leave is a "legal" excuse to separate her. Seems like she's being blackballed by DT and DT's allies because Skylar had been calling DT out on her play. And now DT is flexiin her reach. It's like they are pushing her out. I think she needs to move to another team. I like the idea of her with Indiana or Chicago...

Good take on where skyler should go. I'm glad she came to Seattle

Good for Skylar to find a team that’s a good fit for her❤

I think Indiana is the best move. agree with scrap the roster, but I would also keep Lexie Hull.

Great job with just the facts.

I don’t think Skyler to Chicago will happen because Jewel Loyd will be a free agent after this season. After this year’s Seattle mass exodus Jewel to hometown Chicago looks great to me 😉

Awesome channel! Just subscribed! I think Skylar will go to an eastern conference team like the fever, Sky or Mystics. Somewhere close to home. I don’t like that there are W teams treating pregnant women like this. I understand it’s a business but come on. Also another player could see this and think twice about going to the Mercury. Great video! Do you have any social media handles?

I like the Skylar to Indiana suggestion and would think it would be perfect fit. But i think Skylar is looking to go to a contender and the Fever would need to do great during the off-season to make it a reality.

Just waiting for the tell all book after Skylar's retirement. I'm here for it💪🏾

Nice job reporting🌿refreshing A new subscriber..

i like your ending skyler to fever!!!

Thank you for your reporting! This is insane what Skylar’s going through. Imagine if you went on maternity leave and you left something in your office, you go back to find your key card or login doesn’t work? It seems like it should be illegal, it seems like retaliation in the workforce and of course another example of how sports in general are above labor laws, and have the power to exploit and control the players. The reaction of “we’re giving her the space she wanted” when she’s requesting contact is incredibly telling, they are trying to save face and inadvertently corroborate Skylar’s claims.

Hello. Speaking of the Mercury maybe I missed it but I didn't see Geno comment on Diana T 10000 points. Did you? Thanks

Can she not go for a discrimination lawsuit?

I agree it sounds like one person or some people are having a heavy influence. I would think of a woman's having a baby she would need more contact more help from her friends.

Firstly, great reporting on this ‘situation.’ This matter between SDS and Phoenix Mercury is sooo petty!! It has Diana Taurasi’s fingerprints all over it. Phoenix management has repeatedly deferred to Diana’s whims-that’s why she is still on their roster at 41+. Why should Phoenix Mercury work with SDS even though she’s not going to re-sign with the team? She is a tier 1 player! It’s the decent, respectable and professional thing to do…it is called professional courtesy. If I am a player and Phoenix is offering me a contract, I would thinks, but no thanks.

You can’t terminate an employee on disability or medical leave. That’s why they won’t waiver her during the season. They don’t want the lawsuit it would bring

You got this Skylar!!!

If I were Skylar I would only go to a contender team. Period!

Honestly this is not the first time this is nothing new first time she went on leave they were happy for her they were supporting her and everything was fine no I don't know the apparent issues between her and in the team because she's done everything right she's been supporting them from a distance and you are absolutely right she is still part of the team now why the Mercury is treating her this way is beyond me and I really think it's unfair that she's being treated like that

I like the idea of the Fever. Hometown team and could pair with Boston

First time here. I couldn’t figure out what happened. If skyler goes to Indian and plays with Caitlin Clark it would great. I love Diana Tauarsi. But Phoenix is wrong for treating her so bad.

I'm not sure about moving off Kelsey Mitchell for Diggins

Smith plays awesome. I enjoyed watching when she played.

Any idea what happened to Tina Charles and why she’s out of the league this season?

The Fever need her desperately but I don’t trust the coaching staff to maximize her efforts if they acquire her, they’ve mismanaged so much talent already… I want her in Dallas so the Wings can start dominating teams like the Aces been doing all season 😂 😈

Wow! Who runs the Mercury? Only women would react like this. :)

Hi Quita, seems very likely the reporter's source about Skylar came from the Mercury's front ofc. Possible sabotage since they know she wont be resigning with them. Denying her use of the facilities, etc. is a part of the same offensive. Skylar is a phenomenal, no nonsense player. With the downward spiral that the Mystics are on. They should snap into action as soon as rules allow. Even pitch a bundle of players for her rights. (Tianna Hawkins, M. Hines Allen, Abbey Myers, SW Kimbrough, and a few others) They're not much help to Mystics and Skylar would be. Quita, maybe Chi wants some of this action for KFC returning to Mystics. Signed a frustrated fan.

I almost moved Skylar to Indiana in my 2k season 😆 i like her for NY but Skylar to Sky is fly. #barz 🫡 Good show

Would love for Skyler to come home to Indiana

2:52 can Skylar even use the vending machine in the arena hallway?

Well Skylar can definetly come to the Chicago sky we need a player like her,but hear is what I think the problem is.skylar once said the wnba is probably 90 pct gay n she isn't n she once said that gay players constantly hit on her which she don't like,n that's a problem that's why they don't want her back

You’re on point.Continued success on your chnl.

Seems to me the PG situation in the W is complicated by the possible addition of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers next year. The Fever clearly need a dynamic PG; but do you pick up Skylar at her $$, and some of her possible drama issues; or save $$ on a rookie, and for a long term investment? I know a lot of people are saying the team is ghosting Skylar because she's straight, and had a baby; which seems ridiculous to me.

IT CAME FROM WHERE ALL INFO COMES FROM ANONYMOUS SOURCES. AKA TEAM MATES. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF IT WAS D.T. 🤷

I believe that, in addition to the points made by the podcast creator, there has been a quiet undercurrent in the wnba discriminating against women who are involved with men. The league is predominantly lesbian, and if you are not, you will be subjected to various levels of harassment and discrimination.

Wouldn't mind seeing Sky in Connecticut...

My biggest guess is, they are pushing her out because she's a "straight" woman. Candace Wiggins, a college superstar who played at Stanford and dropped two 40+ pt games in the womens march madness, retired from the WNBA a few seasons ago because she said that the WNBA was extremely toxic, especially to "straight" women such as herself. She couldn't take it anymore so she chose to retire rather than continue to play. I can see the same thing happening here with Skylar Diggins.

Great baller, and historic battles with her at Notre Dame vs UCONN!

We loved Skylar leave Sky alone Mercury Let her Play and we loved are little Babies We will never Give up on her She's a Great Baller one of the Best in the WNBA League whatever you do Sky we Support you, take Care of youself and your little ones.

There is absolutely no reason for Phoenix to continue to invest time or resources into Skylar. At the end of the day it's a business. She will be a FA that means they will no longer reaping any dividens from her presence.

At this time, i dont think we will know the REAL "truth" until after Sky's contract is up, and even then i doubt we will

I been seeing team chemistry fall off this season in the WNBA.

I think it's really sad what the Phoenix Mercury's are doing. Totally not professional. Thanks for the video. Go Seattle Storm. And LSU for college.

What injury is she rehabbing from?

Skyler and Indiana would be nice

DT is ruining WNBA basketball. PERIOD.

✅👍

They don't like her because she 's a real woman.

The Mercury operate like the Knicks... just a disaster all around and then the poor inaccurate reporting by part-time reporters who dont even cover the league as a whole.... go figures

so she is free agent end of season and life goes on,she will find a team and all this will be forgotten.............the future will show if the Mercury were wrong or not

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SKYLAR, DIGGINS SMITH, Y DEY do her like dat,

Never heard of this queen before.😅

That article was a reporter just giving his own opinion. Since he doesn't normally cover the team it should be disregarded by anyone who follows the WNBA. Last season was pretty bad for all the talent they had on the team. Sometimes the pieces just don't fit in reality as they do on paper. It might be time to reevaluate this roster and figure out who you need that would be able to compete on a nightly basis.

I am probably going to sound like Devil's advocate right now but.... I've had time to think more about this, and I have changed my original view on what Skylar said. I was originally shocked she has no access to the team facilities. But I'm not so anymore. At all. Because she's on leave. *On Leave.* Majority of American women don't have a clue what being on *Paid Maternity Leave* is like, because most don't get it in this country and probably don't have experience with FMLA leave either. So here is some perspective. While I was on maternity leave (16 weeks) from my company (in AZ) ALL my company accesses were 'suspended' until I officially returned from leave. Everything. Company email? Suspended. All my logins (remote and in office)? Suspended. My keys and keycard? Returned to the office and would be reissued upon return to active work from leave. I had no access to anything. Client contacts? Nope. Company training? Nope (we had to do monthly company training to be up to date on new gov't regulations) Everything work related was suspended/inaccessible, until I returned, and only upon return could I catch up on required training. Then I thought again about the Mercury and Skylar and realized this isn't any different than my maternity leave experience. *This is actually exactly how paid maternity leave is supposed to work.* The new mother is free of all work expectations. Let me elaborate: When I returned to work after my maternity leave, I asked my boss why everything was suspended while I was on leave and had to be reissued, they don't do that when you take a vacation. (I'm paraphrasing here because it's been a few years) She said it was to protect me and the company. As I didn't have access, no one in the company could call/email me and request I do anything work related which protected my rights on leave (I think it falls under FMLA, not sure though). I also could not voluntarily do any work... and subsequently couldn't later accuse the company of requiring it of me (which is protection from lawsuits on their part). No Work Related Contact. Period. None, except requesting my return date. I worked in the finance sector, but if we were to project these kind of rules to Skylar's situation, it falls right in line. She doesn't have access to facilities, trainers, therapists, etc... because those are all work related, and on Maternity Leave she is presumably protected from having to do ANYthing work related... because she's on leave. Her leave is about bonding with her child and family, not about reconditioning for her job. She is completely free from that expectation. Meaning, that she doesn't have to train and 'get back in shape' until she returns from leave. Yet that's exactly what she's talking about isn't it? Sounds like she's putting that expectation on herself of training (for her job) even though she's still on leave. She hasn't technically returned from leave, therefore she doesn't have access to anything work/company related yet, ei, the facilities and amenities. Let's flip the situation and see what you think. What if she did have access to the facilities and the trainers, and a trainer gave her specific instructions to follow for reconditioning... and she subsequently tweeted something along the lines of 'I'm still on Maternity Leave and the team trainer gave me a list of things I'm required to do to get ready to play again. This is supposed to be my leave, time to bond with my new daughter and family.' What would be your reaction to that? I don't think Skylar is a villain, nor do I think the team is. I think we're seeing a situation of opposing expectations.

ANd she choose Storm in Seattle......we'll see, fingers crossed

She'll ruin any locker room!