WNBA All-Star files discrimination lawsuit against the league and her former team

In 2024, the WNBA enjoyed a record-breaking season in terms of viewership and attendance. However, the league now faces a potential legal battle involving one of its prominent players, three-time WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby.

Hamby, who recently won a bronze medal in the Olympic three-on-three women’s basketball event, filed a lawsuit during the week of Aug. 11, against the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces.

Hamby claimed the Aces subjected her to “repeated acts of intimidation, discrimination and retaliation." She said the acts ultimately culminated with Hamby's trade to the Los Angeles Sparks last year. According to the lawsuit, the WNBA did not take adequate steps to address or rectify the situation.

"The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job," Hamby's legal team said in a statement. "The world champion Aces exiled Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant and the WNBA responded with a light tap on the wrist. Every potential mother in the league is now on notice that childbirth could change their career prospects overnight. That can’t be right in one of the most prosperous and dynamic women’s professional sports leagues in America."

Just seven months before her trade, Hamby had signed a two-year contract extension with the Aces. Shortly after she learned of her pregnancy, she informed Aces head coach Becky Hammon. Then, Hamby alleged that her treatment by the team changed significantly.

Hammon reportedly questioned her player's commitment to the team. The coach also allegedly accused Hamby of knowing about her pregnancy when she signed her contract extension.

The lawsuit further claims that after Hamby revealed her pregnancy, the Aces failed to uphold certain terms of her contract, including paying her daughter’s school tuition and providing team housing. Hamby alleged that she was instructed to leave team-provided housing without explanation.

When pressed by Hamby about the reason for her being dealt to the Sparks, Hammon allegedly "did not deny" accusations from Hamby that she was being traded from the Aces because she was pregnant.

Following the trade, a WNBA investigation led to a two-game suspension for Hammon. The WNBA Players Association criticized the penalty at the time, calling it insufficient. The WNBA stated that it is reviewing Hamby’s recent lawsuit. It seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for "a loss of reputational prestige and brand value" and "loss of marketing and/or endorsement opportunities."

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