WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Files Lawsuit Against League and Aces, Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination and Retaliation

Las Vegas Aces player Dearica Hamby has filed a lawsuit against the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and her former team, alleging pregnancy discrimination and retaliation. The suit accuses the Aces of trading Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023 because she was pregnant and of retaliating against her for speaking out against the league's lack of support for pregnant players.

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby has filed a lawsuit against the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and her former team, alleging pregnancy discrimination and retaliation.

WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Files Lawsuit Against League and Aces, Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination and Retaliation

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Nevada, accuses the Aces of trading Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023 because she was pregnant. Hamby, who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, gave birth to a daughter in March.

The lawsuit also accuses the WNBA of failing to provide adequate support for pregnant players and of retaliating against Hamby for speaking out about the league's policies.

In a statement, Hamby's lawyers said the WNBA "has failed to provide basic protections for its players who become pregnant and has retaliated against players who speak out about the league's lack of support."

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages and a permanent injunction prohibiting the Aces and the WNBA from discriminating against pregnant players.

The WNBA has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

Hamby was traded to the Sparks in February 2023, shortly after she announced that she was pregnant. The Aces said at the time that the trade was made "to improve the team's future flexibility and depth."

However, Hamby's lawsuit alleges that the trade was actually made because the Aces did not want to accommodate her pregnancy. The lawsuit claims that the Aces pressured Hamby to terminate her pregnancy and that the team's management made disparaging remarks about her pregnancy.

The lawsuit also alleges that the WNBA has failed to provide adequate support for pregnant players. The league does not have a policy on maternity leave, and players are not guaranteed to be paid during their pregnancy or after they give birth.

The lawsuit has been met with widespread support from players, fans, and advocates for women's rights. Many have praised Hamby for her courage in speaking out about the lack of support for pregnant players in the WNBA.

The lawsuit is expected to be a major test of the WNBA's policies on pregnancy and discrimination. If successful, it could lead to changes in the league's policies and a greater level of support for pregnant players.

* Hamby is a six-year veteran of the WNBA. She was the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in 2019 and has been named to the All-Defensive Team three times.

* The Aces are one of the most successful teams in the WNBA, having won the championship in 2022.

* The WNBA is the only major professional sports league in the United States that does not have a policy on maternity leave.