WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby Claims Discrimination by Las Vegas Aces for Trading Her Because She’s Pregnant Again

Dearica Hamby, a former WNBA All Star, was traded to Los Angeles from Las Vegas on Saturday. She claims her former team, Aces, treated Hamby in an abusive manner. “unprofessional and unethical way” In regard to her pregnancy.

Hamby, a crucial component to the team’s 2022 WNBA Championship, was traded to the Sparks along with a 2024 first-round draft pick. The Aces were given a 2024 second round pick as well as the negotiating rights for forward Amanda Zahui B.

Hamby had worked her whole career for the Las Vegas/San Antonio team. Hamby signed a contract extension for two years with the team in June.

Instagram shared her accusations against the Aces.

During Las Vegas’ WNBA Championship parade, Hamby announced that she is expecting her second child. The 29-year-old believes that her pregnancy played a role in the team’s decision to trade her to Los Angeles.

In her statement she said that she told the Aces her plans to play for the 2023 season. Hamby claimed that her workouts weren’t enough and that team personnel told Hamby they were inadequate. “[didn’t] see that” She would be happy to come back.

Dearica Hamby claimed that Las Vegas had also conspired against her pregnancy.

Hamby claimed the Aces falsely accused Hamby that she signed an extension without knowing she was pregnant. She claims she was treated well. “unethical” Moreover, the team was less fond of her due to her pregnancy.

I was told I was ‘a question mark’ And that it was stated that I said that I would ‘get pregnant again’ There was concern about my commitment to the group. I was told that ‘I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain’ (because ‘no one expected me to get pregnant in the next two years’).

— Dearica Hamby in a statement.

She believes her pregnancy also played a part in the trade.

Was it expected of me that I would not get pregnant in return for the extension of my contract? I was asked whether I had planned my pregnancy. I replied, ‘no,’ Then I was informed that I ‘was not taking precautions to not get pregnant.’ I was traded because ‘I wouldn’t be ready and we need bodies.’

— Dearica Hamby in a statement.

The 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement requires WNBA teams to pay their players fully while they are on maternity leave. A childcare stipend is also available to the athletes.

In response to Hamby’s allegations, the WNBA Player’s Association released the following statement:

A member of our Union has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of members of Las Vegas Aces’ management. We will investigate this matter and will request a thorough investigation to make sure that she has not been denied her rights under the collectively-bought provisions of the 2020 CBA as well as her rights and protections as a result of federal and state law.

— WNBA PA in a statement.

Las Vegas and the WNBA have yet to respond to Hamby’s allegations.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases