Former Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby officially filed a lawsuit Monday against the Aces and the WNBA, alleging discrimination, intimidation, and retaliation after she disclosed her pregnancy.
In January 2023, the Aces traded Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks, and she noticed a change in how she was treated by the team after announcing her pregnancy.
The lawsuit highlights that Hamby was required to leave team-provided housing and that the Aces did not fulfill their commitment to cover her daughter’s private school tuition.
Click here for the full lawsuit
Additionally, Hamby claims that Aces head coach Becky Hammon bullied her and accused her of lacking commitment to the team.
The lawsuit recounts a phone conversation between Hamby and Hammon where Hamby asked, “You’re trading me because I’m pregnant?” and Hammon responded, “What do you want me to do?”
Before the previous season, the league conducted an investigation, resulting in Hammon being suspended for two games and the Aces losing their 2025 first-round draft pick.
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Hamby’s lawyer argues that the Aces mistreated her client after learning of her pregnancy, violating federal laws that protect women from workplace discrimination.
“The WNBA is considered a workplace, and federal laws have always shielded pregnant women from discrimination at work,” stated Hamby’s lawyer. “The Aces, champions of the world, excommunicated Dearica Hamby for getting pregnant, and the WNBA responded with a minor punishment. Every potential mother in the league now knows that childbirth could abruptly alter their career prospects. This is not acceptable in one of the most affluent and thriving women’s professional sports leagues in America.”
In May 2023, coach Hammon refuted Hamby’s claims and presented her side of the story.
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Becky Hammon on Hamby lawsuit
Scripps News Las Vegas contacted the Aces for a comment on the lawsuit, but no response was received by the time of publishing this article.
This article was originally published by Johnny Resendiz at Scripps News Las Vegas.
