Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has taken legal action against her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, and the WNBA, alleging pregnancy discrimination, retaliation, and intimidation following her announcement of pregnancy. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that Hamby’s treatment by the Aces led to her trade to the Sparks in January 2023 and accuses the WNBA of failing to properly investigate her complaints.
Dearica Hamby, who was a key player for the Aces’ 2022 WNBA championship team, alleges that she was subjected to a series of discriminatory actions after revealing her pregnancy to Aces head coach Becky Hammon and the team in August 2022. According to the lawsuit, the Aces were unhappy with Hamby’s pregnancy, and the team subsequently rescinded several benefits previously promised to her, including team-provided housing and private school tuition for her daughter, Amaya. Hamby also claims that Hammon questioned her dedication to the team and asked whether her pregnancy was planned, which Hammon has denied.
In addition to her claims against the Aces, Hamby’s lawsuit criticizes the WNBA’s handling of the situation. The league conducted a months-long investigation, which included interviews with 33 individuals and a review of texts, emails, and other documents. As a result of the investigation, the WNBA suspended Aces coach Becky Hammon for two games in May 2023 for violating workplace policies. The league also stripped the Aces of their 2025 first-round draft pick due to a separate violation related to impermissible player benefits involving Hamby.
Despite these punishments, Dearica Hamby expressed dissatisfaction with the WNBA’s investigation, stating that the league did not interview her former teammates and did not impose adequate consequences on the Aces or Hammon. Hamby’s frustration with the investigation and its outcome ultimately led her to file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in September 2023. After receiving a Notice of Right to Sue from the EEOC in May 2024, Hamby proceeded with filing the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for economic losses, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. Hamby’s attorney explained that the EEOC did not make any findings on the facts, allowing the lawsuit to proceed without further delay. A WNBA spokesperson acknowledged the legal filing and stated that the league is reviewing the complaint. The Las Vegas Aces have yet to respond to the lawsuit.
Becky Hammon and the Aces have strongly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Hamby’s trade was purely a basketball decision. Hammon explained that the decision to trade Hamby was motivated by the desire to maximize the team’s roster potential, allowing them to sign three players under Hamby’s contract, including WNBA star Candace Parker. “It came down to math in business. That’s all it was. Nothing personal,” Hammon stated, adding that her relationship with Hamby had always been positive, which may have contributed to Hamby’s feelings of betrayal.
Dearica Hamby gave birth to her son, Legend, in April 2023 and continued to play all 40 games of the season with the Sparks, though the team did not qualify for the WNBA playoffs. Now in her second season with the Sparks, Hamby is averaging an impressive 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. She was named a WNBA All-Star in July 2024 and represented the United States in 3×3 women’s basketball, earning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Hamby is also a two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, having won the award in 2019 and 2020 during her time with the Aces.
As the legal battle unfolds, Hamby’s case could have significant implications for the WNBA and its handling of player rights, particularly in cases involving pregnancy and maternity. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing challenges female athletes face in balancing their professional careers with family life and the need for robust protections against discrimination in the sports industry.