Sparks' Dearica Hamby sues WNBA, Aces alleging discrimination - ESPN

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.»

The league at that time also rescinded the Aces' first-round draft pick in 2025 for a different violation, this one regarding impermissible player benefits involving Hamby.

Hamby was displeased with the WNBA's process and discipline decisions, saying that the league didn't speak with other Aces players as part of the investigation nor did it dispense adequate punishment to the Aces or Hammon.

Hammon and the Aces have strongly denied they discriminated against Hamby, saying the trade was motivated strictly by basketball reasons.

Last September, Hamby filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). On May 23, she received her «Notice of Right to Sue» from the EEOC and had 90 days to file a lawsuit — which she did Monday.

An attorney for Hamby told ESPN on Monday, «The EEOC issued the [right to sue] document at our