Former Aces forward Dearica Hamby has filed a federal lawsuit against her former team, alleging acts of intimidation, discrimination and retaliation, her lawyers announced Monday.
The WNBA team traded Hamby to the Sparks in Jan. 2023, according to the lawsuit, because she became pregnant and was unable to play. The move came four months after the Aces won their first of two WNBA championships.
“The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job," her lawyers said in a statement. "The world champion Aces exiled Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant and the WNBA responded with a light tap on the wrist.
“Every potential mother in the league is now on notice that childbirth could change their career prospects overnight. That can’t be right in one of the most prosperous and dynamic women’s professional sports leagues in America.”
The suit also alleges that the Aces reneged on team-sponsored housing and school tuition for Hamby's first child. The WNBA conducted its own investigation into the allegations, resulting in a two-game suspension for coach Becky Hammon.
The Aces and the WNBA have yet to comment on the action.
Hamby has resumed her WNBA career with the Sparks this season, averaging 19.4 points and 10 rebounds a game. She is a three-time WNBA all-star and was twice named the league's Sixth Woman of the Year.
Last week she won a bronze medal in 3x3 women's basketball at the Paris Olympics after USA defeated Canada in the third-place game.