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Sparks' Dearica Hamby sues WNBA, Aces alleging discrimination
Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby filed a federal lawsuit against the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, on Monday regarding her treatment from the Aces after revealing she was pregnant. Hamby alleges that she was subject to repeated acts of intimidation, discrimination and retaliation from the Aces, leading to her January 2023 trade to the Sparks. Hamby also alleges the WNBA failed to "properly investigate" the issue. Hamby is seeking economic losses, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney's fees, according to the lawsuit. The WNBA did a months-long investigation that included interviews with 33 people and a review of numerous texts, emails and other documents before handing down a punishment in May 2023. The league gave Aces coach Becky Hammon a two-game suspension for what it deemed "a violation of league and team 'respect in the workplace' policies."Hamby gave birth to her son, Legend, in April 2023 and played all 40 games last season with the Sparks, who did not make the WNBA playoffs. Hamby was part of the Aces' 2022 WNBA championship team and had been with the organization since being drafted No. 6 in 2015, when the Aces were still located in San Antonio, Texas, and called the Stars. The franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. Hamby re-signed with Las Vegas in June 2022 during the season. In the lawsuit, she said along with the two-year contract extension, the Aces offered her a series of enticements, including use of team-provided housing and an offer to cover the private school tuition costs for Hamby's daughter, Amaya. Now in her second season in Los Angeles, Hamby is averaging 19.2 points and 10.0 rebounds. She was a WNBA All-Star in July and was part of the United States' 3x3 women's basketball bronze medal team in the Paris Olympics. She was the WNBA's Sixth Woman of the Year in 2019 and 2020 while with the Aces.
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