Dearica Hamby has escalated her long-running dispute with the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces, filing an official gender discrimination complaint that accuses her former team — and head coach Becky Hammon — of retaliation after she announced her pregnancy.
According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, Hamby submitted the complaint to both the Nevada Equal Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last week. In it, she alleges that the Aces created an “abusive and hostile” environment during the 2022–23 season, ultimately leading to her being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks after informing the franchise that she was expecting her second child.
Hamby further claims that Hammon questioned whether her pregnancy was planned and suggested the forward was “not holding up (her) end of the bargain” after signing a two-year extension. The complaint also asserts that the WNBA failed to adequately investigate the allegations, despite conducting a months-long inquiry that resulted in Hammon receiving a two-game suspension for workplace policy violations.
“The league conducted a thorough investigation of the allegations and levied appropriate discipline based on its findings,” a WNBA spokesperson said.
The EEOC will now review the complaint, which may proceed to mediation. If mediation fails or if investigators do not find reasonable cause to support Hamby’s claims, she will receive a “right to sue” letter, granting her 90 days to file a lawsuit in state or federal court.
Hammon, speaking in May, denied that pregnancy factored into the Aces’ trade decision. “It wasn’t a problem, and it never was why we made the decision,” she said, explaining that the franchise sought roster flexibility.
Despite the controversy, Hamby delivered a strong season in Los Angeles, returning to action just two months after giving birth and appearing in all 40 games while averaging 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds.
The WNBA Players Association responded Thursday, emphasizing that the league’s 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement added key protections for players who become parents. “Any team can trade any player for any reason or no reason at all,” the union said. “But that reason cannot be on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, parental status, or pregnancy status.”
The Aces, currently preparing to meet the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals beginning Sunday, declined to comment on the complaint.
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