Julie Vanloo had just experienced the pinnacle of any European basketball player’s dream. After leading Belgium to a stunning victory in the EuroBasket Championship—one of the most prestigious international tournaments outside the Olympics—she didn’t stay to bask in the glory. She didn’t join her teammates for the victory parade, the champagne toasts, or the celebration back home. Instead, she hopped on a flight back to the United States, eager to rejoin her WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries.
Eighteen hours in the air. No rest. No family. Just commitment.
But when she landed in San Francisco, the only thing waiting for her was heartbreak.
She had been cut. And she didn’t even hear it from the team directly. No call. No text. She found out on social media.
“I just landed in the Bay. Literally. I need time to process all of this,” Vanloo wrote on Instagram, the raw shock still clinging to her words.
This wasn’t just a professional disappointment—it was a personal betrayal. Vanloo had chosen loyalty over celebration, only to be treated like she didn’t matter. Fans are calling it one of the most brutal moves in WNBA history, and the backlash is fierce.
The Golden State Valkyries, who had been thriving during Vanloo’s absence, claimed it was a necessary roster move. But for many, the justification doesn’t cut it. Yes, the WNBA has tight roster limits—just 12 players per team, compared to the NBA’s 15—but the handling of Vanloo’s situation has left fans and fellow players furious.
“She should’ve been told before boarding a transatlantic flight,” said one former WNBA coach. “This was cruel. Plain and simple.”
Even Emma Meesseman, Vanloo’s Belgian teammate and WNBA Finals MVP, publicly slammed the decision. “It’s absurd to make her miss a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in Belgium,” she said. Others echoed the same sentiment: business is one thing, but this was inhumane.
So why now? Why this firestorm?
Because the WNBA is finally in the spotlight—largely thanks to the “Caitlin Clark effect.” The rookie phenom has been single-handedly driving ratings and ticket sales. Games featuring her average over 1.8 million viewers; without her, that number drops to 847,000. The league is riding a wave of attention it has never seen before.
But with that spotlight comes scrutiny. Fans aren’t willing to look the other way when the league mistreats its players.
The Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, has stayed silent. That silence is deafening.
Under Engelbert’s leadership, the league has seen exponential growth. But what good is growth if players are treated as disposable? What message does it send when a player sacrifices her moment of glory for her team, only to be cast aside without warning or dignity?
There’s also speculation about immigration and visa issues. Some argue the Valkyries waited until Vanloo reentered the U.S. before cutting her to preserve her eligibility to work in the country—otherwise, she might’ve lost her visa. But that reasoning falls flat for many. If that was the plan, why wasn’t Vanloo told? Why wasn’t she consulted? Why wasn’t she respected?
The damage is done. And fans aren’t staying quiet.
Social media exploded with demands for accountability. “Julie Vanloo deserved better,” wrote one fan. “Any player this has happened to deserves better. This league says it supports women—and this is how they treat them?”
Some are calling for a boycott of the Valkyries. Others want Engelbert to step up and address the treatment of international players. Some simply say they’re done with a league that can’t seem to treat its talent like human beings.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The WNBA Players Association opted out of its current collective bargaining agreement in late 2024, and a new deal is being negotiated. Players want better pay, better travel conditions, and above all—respect. Julie Vanloo’s story is now Exhibit A.
It’s a moment of truth for the WNBA. Will it continue to climb, fueled by a new generation of stars and a growing global fan base? Or will it collapse under the weight of careless decisions and cold-hearted management?
Julie Vanloo deserved to celebrate her victory. She deserved to be welcomed back, not waved off. She deserved a conversation, not a social media post.
And now, fans are letting the league know—they’re watching. And they remember.
