Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Dearica Hamby has initiated legal action against the WNBA and her previous team, the Las Vegas Aces, over alleged mistreatment during her pregnancy. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims the Aces engaged in discrimination and retaliation, resulting in Hamby's trade to the Sparks in January 2023. A WNBA spokesperson confirmed the league knew of the legal filing and was reviewing it.
The Aces, who have disputed the allegations, previously argued that the trade was a strategic move to sign future Hall of Famer Candace Parker. "We made the decision to move Hamby because we could get three bodies in her one contract," said coach Becky Hammon in May 2023. "I think it's very evident (with) who we signed on why we made the move." However, an investigation by the WNBA led to Hammon's two-game suspension in May 2023 and the Aces forfeiting their 2025 first-round draft pick for providing impermissible player benefits related to Hamby.
Hamby found that response insufficient. She filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September, later amended in October, and received a "right to sue" determination in May. Hamby's attorneys stated, "The WNBA is... a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job. The response was a light tap on the wrist." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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