Sparks' Dearica Hamby Sues Aces, WNBA Over Alleged Discrimination Prior to 2023 Trade

Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has sued the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces, claiming "repeated acts of intimidation, discrimination and retaliation" in her lawsuit, her attorneys announced (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

The issues allegedly emerged after Hamby announced she was pregnant in Sept. 2022. Per her attorneys, the WNBA All-Star was "forced to vacate the team-provided housing, and she faced bullying from [head coach Becky Hammon] who leveled a series of false accusations, criticized her pregnancy, and even questioned her commitment to the team."

She was traded in Jan. 2023, with the lawsuit claiming the trade only occurred because of Hamby's pregnancy.

A WNBA investigation into the situation ultimately resulted in a two-game suspension for Hammon and the Aces being stripped of their 2025 first-round pick, with the league finding that the organization "violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies."

"I don't recall my relationship with Hamby being anything but on the up-and-up, and I'm just—obviously along with the organization—disappointed with the findings," Hammon told reporters in May of 2023. "It's never [good] to have your name be associated with something like that, which is not who you are as a person. That's not how I operate. I did talk to my team; they were great. I have to say they've been very professional throughout this whole process."

Hamby's attorneys, Dana Sniegocki, Erin Norgaard, and Artur Davis, released a joint statement on Monday:

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

A WNBA spokesperson issued a statement on the lawsuit to The Athletic's Ben Pickman: "We are aware of today's legal filing and are reviewing the complaint."

Hamby, 30, is a two-time All-Star, two-time Sixth Woman of the Year award-winner and one-time champion. She is averaging 19.2 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 24 games for the Sparks this season.

She represented Team USA in the 3x3 women's basketball tournament, winning bronze.