In a move that’s left WNBA fans fuming and players shaking their heads, the Golden State Valkyries have found themselves at the center of yet another controversy—and this one stings. Literally. Imagine flying 18 hours across the globe after helping your national team clinch a European title, skipping a celebration with your country to honor your WNBA commitments… only to be waived an hour after landing.
Yep, that’s what happened to Belgian guard Julie Vanloo.
The Valkyries, Golden State’s brand-new WNBA franchise, have been off to a fairytale start in their inaugural season—until now. Their decision to cut Vanloo so suddenly after her return from the EuroBasket tournament has triggered serious backlash, raising questions about player treatment, communication, and just plain old empathy.
✈️ 18 Hours, Zero Warning
Vanloo was riding a high after Belgium’s thrilling win at the EuroBasket Women’s Championship on Sunday night. Most of her teammates stayed back to party it up in Belgium and soak in the celebration. Vanloo, however, chose duty over revelry. She boarded a flight and made the exhausting 18-hour journey from Greece to the Bay Area, ready to rejoin the Valkyries.
But her welcome was short-lived—just one hour after touching down in San Francisco, she was informed that she was being waived by the team.
Let that sink in. One. Hour.
🥺 “That Stung” — Vanloo’s Emotional Post
On Tuesday, Vanloo took to Instagram to express her heartbreak. She shared a deeply emotional post, filled with gratitude for the fans and her teammates, and a raw vulnerability about the pain of being let go so suddenly.
“The Bay Area was truly my vibe,” she wrote, before admitting, “Honestly, that stung. I understand it's business, but nothing prepares you for the loneliness that comes with getting cut.”
She didn’t hold back on how gut-wrenching the experience was, saying it felt like “the whole world suddenly crashes on your shoulders.” And you know what? Fans felt that. Fellow players felt that. Even people outside the WNBA bubble felt that.
She capped off her post by reflecting on what she’ll miss most: “The team, the fans, Ballhalla.”
Ballhalla—a nod to the team’s loyal base and gritty energy—was supposed to be a safe haven. Instead, it became the backdrop for one of the coldest cuts we’ve seen in a while.
🧊 A Face-to-Face Goodbye? Coach Says It Was “Respectful”
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase addressed the media after Wednesday’s practice, and though she didn’t go deep into the decision, she defended the team's choice to have Vanloo return to the Bay for the waiver.
“From my perspective, I would say that was respectful,” Nakase said. “Because whenever a situation like that happens, you bring them in and, as an adult, you say things face to face.”
Sure, in a perfect world, that’s the adult way to handle tough conversations. But context matters.
Let’s not forget—there was no practice Monday or Tuesday. The next game isn’t until Saturday. So, was it really necessary to have Vanloo skip her victory celebration just to deliver bad news in person?
❓ Where Was the Front Office?
One person who didn’t face the music: Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin. According to Bay Area News Group, she wasn’t made available to the media on Wednesday, leaving Coach Nakase to field the heat. This silence only deepened fans’ frustration.
It’s hard not to wonder: Couldn’t someone—anyone—from the front office have picked up the phone, sent a text, or emailed a heads-up to Vanloo before she boarded that flight? Even a simple “Hold off, we need to talk” would’ve spared her an emotional and physical rollercoaster.
🔁 A Pattern Emerging?
Let’s zoom out for a second. This isn’t the Valkyries’ first rodeo with controversy.
In fact, this is their second player waiver drama… and we’re only three months into their inaugural season. For a franchise that’s been hitting most of the right notes—solid marketing, strong community buzz, competitive performances—this trend is troubling.
Even fans who’ve rallied behind the Valkyries from day one are now starting to question how the front office is treating its players behind the scenes.
🔥 Social Media Reaction Was Swift—and Brutal
The WNBA community didn’t take this lightly. Players, fans, analysts—everyone seemed to have something to say, and much of it wasn’t pretty.
Many pointed out the optics: A player chooses team over country, skips a euphoric homecoming, travels across the globe, and is let go before even unpacking her bag. If that doesn’t scream cold, what does?
Others drew parallels to how professional sports often treat athletes like numbers rather than humans. Vanloo’s situation became a powerful (and painful) reminder of how transactional this business can be—even when heart and loyalty are involved.
🧩 Could It Have Been Handled Differently?
Absolutely.
If cutting Vanloo was inevitable, the Valkyries could’ve:
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Given her advance notice so she could choose whether to skip the celebration.
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Waited a few days before calling her back, considering there were no imminent games or practices.
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Had someone from the front office handle the situation, instead of leaving the coach to answer questions.
It’s not about the fact that she was waived—that’s part of the business. It’s about how it was done.
💬 The Bigger Message
This saga has opened a larger conversation in the WNBA world: What do we owe our players when it comes to respect, dignity, and communication?
Because yes, sports are a business. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do business with heart.
Julie Vanloo gave everything she had—from international courts to WNBA hardwood—to help her team succeed. All she got in return was a gut punch that could’ve easily been avoided with a little foresight and compassion.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Valkyries have built an exciting brand in their first year, but with two early-season controversies involving player cuts, it’s clear they have some culture-building to do behind the scenes. Talent can fill the stat sheets. Marketing can hype up fans. But it’s respect and communication that build true team loyalty—and long-term success.
As for Julie Vanloo, she’s earned the respect of fans and players worldwide for how she handled the whole situation—with honesty, grace, and a whole lot of heart. Here’s hoping the next chapter in her career brings the kind of respect she deserves.
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