WNBA Refutes Dearica Hamby’s Mistreatment Claims in Legal Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit

The Las Vegas Aces and WNBA have refuted any claims of misconduct related to basketball player Dearica Hamby’s allegations. As per court records from the Associated Press and Las Vegas Review-Journal, both the WNBA and the Aces filed separate motions in Nevada District Court, aiming to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Hamby, who accused her former team of discrimination following the discovery of her pregnancy. Hamby also alleged the league failed to conduct a thorough investigation.

The motions submitted on Wednesday, Sept. 11, contend that Hamby’s August 12 lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages for reputational harm and lost income opportunities, does not provide sufficient grounds for legal relief, according to the Review-Journal.

Hamby’s former team, the Aces, where she played before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, requested the court dismiss all her claims. In its filing, the WNBA contended that Hamby was not employed by the league, thereby removing it from any liability in the case, as reported by the AP.

Furthermore, the league rejected her assertion of inaction, pointing to their earlier disciplinary measures, which included a two-game suspension without pay for head coach Becky Hammon and the loss of the Aces’ 2025 first-round draft pick, following initial claims that Hammon, 47, had discriminated against Hamby due to her pregnancy.

Addressing the accusations during a press conference on Sunday, Aug. 19, Hammon responded just a week after Hamby’s claims of “intimidation, discrimination, and retaliation.” “Here are the facts: I’ve been involved in the WNBA or NBA for 25 years and have never had a single HR complaint,” Hammon said firmly. She added that Hamby had yet to file a formal complaint against her with either the league or the players’ union. “Those are the facts,” she reiterated.

Hamby’s legal complaint claims her relationship with the Aces deteriorated after revealing her pregnancy during the team’s championship parade in 2022, as reported by The Athletic, leading to her eventual trade to the Sparks. Her legal team alleges the Aces “exiled” Hamby simply because of her pregnancy.

Currently, Hamby is performing exceptionally well for the Los Angeles Sparks, averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, positioning her as a top contender for the league’s most improved player award this season.