WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Sues Las Vegas Aces and League Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination
WNBA star Dearica Hamby has filed a federal lawsuit against her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, and the league itself, alleging discrimination and retaliation stemming from her pregnancy. Hamby, a three-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, claims her career was jeopardized after revealing she was expecting her second child.
Allegations of Discrimination and Retaliation
According to the lawsuit filed in Nevada federal court, Hamby informed the Aces of her pregnancy in August 2022, shortly after signing a two-year contract extension. The complaint alleges that her announcement, made publicly during a championship parade in September, led to a series of adverse actions from the team.
Hamby claims that after the pregnancy announcement, the Aces treated her differently, including not covering her daughter’s school tuition and instructing her to vacate team-provided housing, both of which were included in her contract extension. The lawsuit also alleges that Becky Hammon, then head coach of the Aces and named in the suit, questioned Hamby’s commitment and accused her of signing the extension knowing she was pregnant—a claim Hamby disputes.
The suit details a conversation in January 2023 where Hammon allegedly expressed doubts about Hamby’s readiness to return to play, ultimately leading to Hamby being informed that her time with the Aces was over. Hamby was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Sparks five days later.
Allegations Against the WNBA
In addition to claims against the Aces, Hamby’s lawsuit accuses the WNBA of failing to adequately address her complaints. The league is alleged to have done little to rectify what Hamby describes as clear violations of federal and state anti-discrimination laws. The complaint also points to the league’s inadequate response to her social media revelations in January 2023, despite the WNBA’s subsequent investigation.
In response to the lawsuit, the Aces released a statement referencing their commitment to upholding high professional standards but did not comment directly on the ongoing litigation. The WNBA, meanwhile, has not provided a statement on the new developments.
Previous Actions and League Response
The WNBA did investigate Hamby’s claims earlier this year. On May 16, 2023, the league determined that the Aces had violated league rules regarding Hamby’s contract. The punishment included the loss of the team’s first-round draft pick for 2024 and a two-game suspension for Hammon, but Hamby argues these measures were insufficient.
The Aces expressed disappointment with the investigation’s findings and continued to support Hammon, describing her as a “caring human being” with strong player relationships. However, Hamby’s lawsuit suggests that these actions were inadequate and that she faced retaliation for speaking out.
Impact and Future Implications
The lawsuit highlights ongoing issues within professional sports regarding how teams and leagues handle matters of pregnancy and discrimination. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome could have significant implications for policies and practices within the WNBA and potentially across other sports leagues.
Dearica Hamby’s case underscores the challenges faced by athletes balancing professional careers with personal lives, and her pursuit of justice aims to set a precedent for fair treatment and equality in the sports industry.
