Natasha Cloud Heartbreak: Loyalty Not Guaranteed

Professional sports is a rough game.

One day you’re loyal to the soil, the next day you’re Natasha Cloud.

The reason for bringing up Cloud’s name is because she was deeply hurt by what she deemed a betrayal by the Phoenix Mercury.

A Career Built on Loyalty

Cloud, who understands the meaning of loyalty, played for just one organization before going to Phoenix last season. She was drafted by the Washington Mystics and stuck with them even when they finished 13-21. Her loyalty paid off as she helped lead the franchise to its first WNBA championship in 2019.

After nine years with the Mystics, she signed with the Phoenix Mercury last season. However, her plan to primarily play for just two franchises in her career did not unfold the way she envisioned.

Sports can be cruel, especially to players who wear their loyalty on their sleeve. Cloud this offseason found herself in the crossfire of a blockbuster trade. The Mercury looked to improve by acquiring two All-WNBA players, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. 

“Being told I was going to retire as a Phoenix Mercury, and then finding out like you guys on social media, was hard.” – Natasha Cloud

It’s difficult to accept changing teams via trade. Let alone by the same franchise that promised to retire you. It’s even tougher when they send you to a team that’s rebuilding. “Being sent to Connecticut as a 33-year-old wasn’t expected… I just want the best situation for myself and my family moving forward… I want to compete for championships” said Cloud.

The Connecticut Sun are nowhere near championship contention. While they have experienced players like Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey, they, like Cloud, want to win rings. Unfortunately, that isn’t likely to happen next season.

The Cold Reality of the Business

The nature of professional sports is unforgiving.

When it comes to trades, organizations should be far more transparent. For anyone reading this with a regular job, imagine your boss looking for your replacement or planning to move in a new direction without telling you. No one wants to get blindsided. The fact that franchises can do this without accountability isn’t just wrong—it’s indecent.

At the same time, players should not expect loyalty from franchises. And in that same breath, franchises should not expect loyalty from players. Athletes must understand that professional sports are a business. Teams will trade, cut, or ship players anywhere at any time in the pursuit of winning. Likewise, players should adopt the same mindset. If a player is earning a comfortable salary and playing for a franchise, they should have no obligations beyond their contract and their teammates—only to perform their best.

What’s Next for Natasha Cloud?

As a veteran in the league and one of the WNBA’s better point guards, Cloud still has a lot left to give. She may not want to stay in Connecticut, but it might be the best situation for her right now. She is with a franchise that actually wanted her. Who knows how that loyalty will develop over time? Right now, the Sun are rebuilding, but she will be part of the reason they don’t remain stagnant moving forward.

Without loyalty, there is no royalty. Natasha Cloud made sure her loyalty got rewarded with a championship ring.

Now, she’s paying the price for staying loyal to a franchise.

But that’s just professional sports.