Dearica Hamby has launched serious accusations against the Las Vegas Aces and the WNBA.
On Monday, Hamby, now with the Los Angeles Sparks, filed a discrimination lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Nevada. Hemby claims that before announcing her pregnancy, the Aces negotiated a new contract with her in June 2022, which included housing and tuition fees for her young daughter. After informing Aces coach Becky Hammon about her pregnancy with her second child in August 2022 and publicizing it the following month after the team earned their first Championship, Hemby claims things quickly changed. In her lawsuit, she says the team no longer agreed to pay her daughter’s tuition and was even forced to leave the team-funded housing.
Trade talks reportedly began soon after, which raised suspicions with Hemby. When she questioned Hammon about being traded to the Sparks, Hemby claims the coach replied, “What do you want me to do?”
Hemby was traded in January 2023, though she still filed an internal complaint with the WNBA. This resulted in Hammom being suspended for two games. Additionally, she was stripped from selecting a first-round draft pick. The organization found that Hammon’s actions toward Hemby had violated its Respect in the Workplace policies. The athlete is now warning other women in the league about the shady antics they may face if they choose to have children.
“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,” Hemby shared in a news release after her lawsuit was filed.
