Dearica Hamby, a three-time WNBA All-Star and recent Olympic bronze medalist, has filed a federal lawsuit against the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, alleging discrimination and retaliation related to her pregnancy. The lawsuit, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, claims that Hamby suffered significant harm to her reputation, brand value, and lost marketing and endorsement opportunities after the Aces traded her to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023. Hamby is seeking damages through a jury trial.
“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 stated. “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.”
The lawsuit alleges that the Aces had offered Hamby additional incentives beyond the two-year contract she signed in June 2022. These incentives included covering private tuition costs for her daughter, Amaya, and providing team housing, which Hamby planned to use to accommodate her family and assist with childcare while she traveled for away games. However, weeks after signing the contract, Hamby discovered she was pregnant and informed Aces head coach Becky Hammon and general manager Natalie Williams.
According to the lawsuit, Hamby noticed significant changes in how she was treated by the Aces staff after disclosing her pregnancy. The team allegedly withheld the promised tuition relief for her daughter’s school and forced her removal from the team-provided housing. The lawsuit also claims that Coach Hammon questioned Hamby’s dedication to the team during a phone call in January 2023 and did not deny that Hamby was being traded due to her pregnancy.
Following the trade, Hamby requested an investigation through the WNBA Players Association, leading to an inquiry by the league in February. In May, the WNBA concluded that the Aces had violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits. As a result, the Aces were docked their 2025 first-round draft pick, and Coach Hammon was suspended for two games without pay for violating the league’s and the team’s respect in the workplace policies.
The Las Vegas Aces, in a statement released Tuesday, reiterated their position from May 2023, saying, “As an organization, we continue to stand behind our statement made at the conclusion of the WNBA’s investigation into this matter. Given that this is ongoing litigation, the Aces will have no further comment at this time.”
In September 2023, Hamby filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which subsequently issued her a notice of right to sue in May 2024. This notice followed an EEOC investigation and grants Hamby the opportunity to pursue her lawsuit in federal court.
Despite the legal battle, Hamby has been thriving on the court for the Los Angeles Sparks this season, averaging career highs in points (19.2), rebounds (10), and assists per game (3.5). She also recently secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of Team USA’s 3×3 Women’s Basketball team.
