Dearica Hamby files lawsuit against WNBA, Las Vegas Aces over discrimination during her pregnancy

Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has filed a lawsuit against the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces for discrimination, it was reported Monday. Her attorneys alleged in a statement that the Aces “exiled” her after she announced her pregnancy and later traded her from the team for the same reason.

“The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job,” the statement read. “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.”

Hamby helped the Aces to win a WNBA Championship in the 2022 season. She was an integral part of that team, starting 32 games to average 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Hamby announced publicly she was pregnant with her second child a few days after the Aces won the title. The lawsuit alleges that she began to experience “notable changes in the way she was treated by Las Vegas Aces staff” after the announcement.

The lawsuit states that the Aces promised Hamby “certain benefits and inducements” outside of her contract when she signed an extension with the team in the middle of the 2022 season. One of those agreements was that the team would cover the private school tuition cost for her daughter, Amaya.

However, when the school tuition became due in September, the team was late on paying it. Hamby allegedly asked general manager Natalie Williams and team president Nikki Fargas about the issue and was told they were “working on it” but was provided no date for when the “donation” would be paid.

Additionally, the lawsuit states that Dearica Hamby was removed from team-provided housing and provided no reason as to why. Hamby also claims she faced bullying from head coach Becky Hammon in a phone call that occurred on or about Jan. 15, 2023.

“Hammon asked Hamby whether she planned her pregnancy,” the lawsuit reads. “When Hamby responded that she did not, Hammon told Hamby that she was not taking proper precautions not to get pregnant. Also during that phone call, Hammon questioned Hamby’s commitment to the team.

“Hammon told Hamby that she was a ‘question mark.’ Hammon further stated that the Las Vegas Aces ‘needed bodies’ and that Hamby would not be ready to play in time for the start of the next season.”

The Aces traded Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks less than a week later. She recalled on the phone call with Hammon asking “you’re trading me because I’m pregnant?” to which the coach responded “what do you want me to do?”

The WNBA later launched its own investigation into the matter and suspended Hammon for the first two games of the 2023 season for violating the league’s respect in the workplace policy. The Aces were also stripped of their 2025 first-round pick for breaking rules on impermissible benefits in connection with Hamby’s contract. 

Hamby also filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September of 2023. She released a lengthy statement via Instagram before then detailing how the treatment from the Aces had “traumatized” her.

Hamby gave birth to her child in March of 2023 and returned to the court in time for the Sparks’ season opener on May 19. She went on to average 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game across 24.8 minutes.

This season, Hamby is a candidate for most improved player with career high averages of 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game on 52% shooting. She also helped Team USA win a bronze medal in 3-on-3 at the 2024 Paris Olympics.