WNBA Player Alleges Discrimination in Trade During Pregnancy
- Dearica Hamby, a WNBA player, has filed a lawsuit against the league and her former team.
- She alleges discrimination and retaliation over her pregnancy.
- The case raises concerns about fair treatment of pregnant athletes in professional sports.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has filed a federal lawsuit against the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, alleging discrimination related to her pregnancy. The lawsuit claims that after Hamby announced her pregnancy, the Aces and head coach Becky Hammon withheld promised benefits, including housing accommodations and private school tuition for her daughter. Hamby, a three-time All-Star and 2022 championship winner, asserts that her treatment changed significantly following her pregnancy announcement, including being ordered to vacate team-provided housing. In the lawsuit, Hamby recounts a troubling phone conversation with Hammon, during which she was labeled a "question mark" and accused of not fulfilling her contractual obligations due to her pregnancy. Following this incident, Hamby expressed her frustrations on social media, questioning whether the team expected her to avoid pregnancy in exchange for her contract extension. Shortly after, she was traded to the Sparks, which she believes was a direct result of her pregnancy. The WNBA previously investigated the Aces for "impermissible player benefits," resulting in the loss of a first-round draft pick for 2025 and a two-game suspension for Hammon. However, Hamby criticized the league's response as insufficient, describing it as a "slap on the wrist" for serious discrimination claims. Her legal team warns that such treatment could deter potential mothers in the league from pursuing their careers, highlighting the broader implications of her case for women in professional sports.