Recently all over social media, posts have surfaced regarding the allegations of domestic violence against WNBA Seattle Storm's forward Natasha Howard and her wife Jaqueline Howard. According to the Twitter posts, Jaqueline Howard has reached out to Natas PBY Media-Mercury_Storm_game2-2 ha's agent and CEO/GM Alisha Valavanis but felt that no one was on her side, but they were trying to protect Natasha Howard. Early Saturday morning, Howard's wife aired everything on Twitter with videos and screenshots of text messages that she says detail various alleged instances of domestic violence and emotional abuse from Howard. In addition, she produced text message exchanges about the issue with Valavanis, the Storm's GM, as well as with Howard's agent. Per her complaints, many of the episodes took place while Howard was playing in Russia during the winter. It wasn't until she (Jaqueline) went public on Twitter that the Seattle Storm announced that the organization is looking into the allegations against the WNBA All-Star forward. 

"The organization is aware of the recent allegations against Natasha," Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel and CEO/GM Alisha Valavanis stated. "We are in communication with the league and looking into them."  With everything that has resurfaced, Brummell said in a statement. "We are in continued communications with the league and their investigation is now in progress and Natasha will play in tonight's game against the NY Liberty." Natasha Howard has not yet commented on the allegations.

Earlier this week, Howard was named as a starter for the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game for the first time, which is set for July 27 in Las Vegas. This is Howard's sixth season in the league and her second with the Storm. Howard averaged a career-high 13.2 points and 6.4 rebounds last year, helping Seattle to a WNBA title. She has averaged 17.6 points and 8.5 rebounds so far this season, her sixth in the league. PBY Media-Mercury_Storm_game2-3

In one of the text conversations, Jacqueline accused Natasha of stabbing her in the chest and leg. Jacqueline also posted videos to her account, including one where she appears to confront Natasha for threatening her, saying Natasha broke multiple doors. Natasha appears to deny those accusations in the video. Jacqueline also posted a video appearing to show bruises on her arm. 

Natasha still played and started in the Storm’s game against the New York Liberty on Sunday night. She scored 14 points while starting and playing 24:41 minutes. Currently, the
WNBA does not have a specific policy in place about domestic violence. Currently, the WNBA has another investigation pending as they decide the fate of The Los Angeles Guard Riquina Williams. She was arrested in April for an altercation with her ex-girlfriend in December 2018. The charges against her are burglary with assault or battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. On May 27, the WNBA issued the following statement on Riquna Williams’ arrest: The matter is under active investigation and we have nothing to report at this time.

Riquina Williams has been playing during this active investigation and recently provided a statement. Her agent, Orlando Castaño, has provided in a statement to Swish Appeal on July 8 that the league was urging the Sparks to suspend Williams under Article XIV of the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Player Conduct and Discipline.

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In 2015, another high-profile athlete was involved in a domestic violence case. Phoenix Mercury Center Brittney Griner and Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings) Forward Glory Johnson were both arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct on April
22, 2015. Both players sustained minor injuries. They were married on May 8, 2015, in Phoenix and were suspended for seven games each on May 15, 2015.  

The WNBA's decision to suspend Griner and Johnson for seven games each came less than 30 days after they were arrested. This final decision is a different approach to the current allegations with Williams and Howard.

PBY Media will continue to follow
these incidents and keep you updated.