Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Dearica Hamby has filed a lawsuit against the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, in federal court, claiming discrimination during her pregnancy. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, alleges that the Aces discriminated against and retaliated against Hamby, resulting in her trade to the Sparks in January 2023.
A WNBA spokesperson acknowledged the legal filing, stating, “We are aware of today’s legal filing and are reviewing the complaint.” The Aces have not yet responded to requests for comment but previously denied the allegations. In May 2023, coach Becky Hammon stated that Hamby was traded for strategic reasons, specifically to facilitate the signing of likely future Hall of Famer Candace Parker.
“We made the decision to move Hamby because we could get three bodies in her one contract, and we wanted to get three more people in,” Hammon explained. “I think it’s very evident (with) who we signed on why we made the move.”
Hamby, who recently won a bronze medal in 3X3 women’s basketball at the Olympic Games, has previously voiced concerns about her treatment by the Aces. In response to her claims, the WNBA investigated the matter, resulting in Hammon receiving a two-game suspension without pay in May 2023. Additionally, the Aces were penalized with the loss of their first-round draft pick in 2025 for providing improper player benefits related to Hamby.
Hamby contended that the league’s response was insufficient, leading her to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in September, which she later amended in October. The lawsuit states that the EEOC ruled in May that she had a “right to sue.”
“The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job,” Hamby’s attorneys stated in a press release. “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 played for the Aces from 2015 to 2022, beginning her career with the organization when it was based in San Antonio as the Stars. She was named the league’s Sixth Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2020 and has been selected for the All-Star team three times in the past four seasons. This season, Hamby is achieving career highs, averaging 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds.
This lawsuit adds to the off-court challenges facing the Aces, who are also under investigation by the WNBA regarding a two-year sponsorship deal from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Under this deal, each player would receive $25,000 per month and could earn up to $100,000 per season.
