August 13th 2024.
In a bold move to protect the rights of pregnant players, a WNBA athlete has taken steps to stand up against the league she currently plays for. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, Dearica Hamby, a star player for the Los Angeles Sparks, has filed a lawsuit against the Women's National Basketball Association and the Las Vegas Aces. She claims that they have violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by discriminating and retaliating against her during her pregnancy.
Hamby signed a two-year contract with the Aces in June 2022, which included a provision for the team to cover her daughter Amaya's private tuition fees. The contract also offered team-provided housing, which Hamby utilized to have her family assist with childcare while she was away for games. However, shortly after signing the contract, Hamby discovered she was pregnant with her second child.
According to the lawsuit, Hamby faced significant changes in the way she was treated by the Aces staff once she made her pregnancy public. This included the team reneging on their promise to cover her daughter's tuition and removing her from the team-provided housing. In January 2023, Hamby was traded to the L.A. Sparks, and during a phone call with Aces coach Becky Hammon, she was questioned about her dedication and commitment to the team. The lawsuit alleges that Hammon did not deny that Hamby was being traded because of her pregnancy.
In January 2023, Hamby requested an investigation into the Aces through the WNBA Player's Association. The league conducted an inquiry and found the Aces guilty of violating league rules by providing impermissible benefits to players. As a result, the Aces lost their 2025 first-round draft pick and Hammon was suspended for two games without pay for violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies.
In a statement, Hamby's legal team emphasized that the WNBA is a workplace and that federal laws protect pregnant women from discrimination. They believe that the Aces' actions have set a dangerous precedent for potential mothers in the league and that the WNBA's response was inadequate.
Hamby has filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, claiming that her removal from the Aces has caused damage to her reputation and brand value, as well as loss of marketing and endorsement opportunities. She is seeking damages through a jury trial.
Despite the challenges she faced, Hamby continues to shine as a star player for the L.A. Sparks, achieving career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists per game. She also won a bronze medal as part of Team USA's 3x3 women's basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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