Dearica Hamby, a star player with the Los Angeles Sparks, has filed a lawsuit against the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, alleging discrimination and retaliation due to her pregnancy. The lawsuit claims that the Aces mistreated Hamby, leading to her trade to the Sparks in January 2023. The WNBA is currently reviewing the complaint, while the Aces have not yet responded.
Hamby, a bronze medalist in 3X3 basketball at the recent Olympics, has previously made public claims against the Aces, leading to an investigation by the league. In May 2023, the club and coach Becky Hammon were penalized for providing impermissible benefits to Hamby. Despite this, Hamby believes the punishment was insufficient and has taken legal action.
According to Hamby’s attorneys, the EEOC ruled in May that she had the right to sue, citing federal laws that protect pregnant women from discrimination in the workplace. The lawsuit states that the Aces punished Hamby for becoming pregnant and that the WNBA’s response was inadequate, sending a message to other players that childbirth could negatively impact their careers.
Hamby, who had a successful tenure with the Aces, is currently averaging career highs in points and rebounds with the Sparks. The lawsuit is the latest in a series of off-court issues for the Aces, who are also under investigation for a sponsorship deal offered by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
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