Dearica Hamby, a prominent figure in women’s basketball, has recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces. She alleges that both organizations engaged in unlawful discrimination and retaliation following her pregnancy announcement. Traded by the Aces in 2022 shortly after revealing she was expecting her second child, Hamby’s legal action sheds light on the challenges female athletes face in balancing career and motherhood.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that the WNBA, the Aces, and coach Becky Hammon violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees from sex-based discrimination. Hamby contends that her openness about the circumstances of her trade led to retaliatory actions by the Aces and Hammon. According to the lawsuit, these events caused Hamby significant emotional and financial distress, for which she is seeking compensation, including economic losses and punitive damages.
The Allegations
Discrimination and Retaliation
Hamby’s lawsuit asserts that the WNBA and the Aces displayed discriminatory behavior that contravened federal law. Specifically, the lawsuit points to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which safeguards employees from discrimination due to sex, including pregnancy. Hamby alleges that her trade was a direct consequence of her pregnancy, a claim that underscores the persistent struggles faced by pregnant women in professional sports.
- Discriminatory Actions: According to the lawsuit, Hamby faced discriminatory actions from the Aces soon after her pregnancy announcement. The team allegedly became evasive about fulfilling promised benefits, such as private school tuition for Hamby’s daughter and team-provided housing.
- Retaliatory Measures: Hamby also alleges that the Aces retaliated against her for speaking out about her trade and its motivations. This retaliation included barring players and staff from communicating with her and attempting to obtain her medical records without consent.
In a statement, Hamby’s attorney criticized the WNBA for merely giving the Aces a “light tap on the wrist” as punishment for their actions. The statement emphasized that the WNBA is fundamentally a workplace where federal laws protect pregnant employees from discrimination.
“Every potential mother 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 statement read.
Background and Context
Hamby’s Career and Achievements
Hamby, a two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and a three-time All-Star, has had an illustrious career. She recently returned from the Paris Olympics with a bronze medal, having replaced her Los Angeles Sparks teammate Cameron Brink, who suffered a torn ACL.
- Achievements: Among Hamby’s various accolades is her recent bronze medal with Team USA’s 3×3 basketball team.
- Contract and Promises: In June 2022, Hamby signed a two-year contract to stay with the Aces, which included stipulations to support her family, such as covering her daughter’s private school tuition and providing team housing. These benefits were later deemed “impermissible” by the WNBA during their investigation into the matter.
Hamby’s pregnancy was announced in September 2022, during the celebrations for the Aces’ first WNBA championship. The joy of this personal milestone was quickly overshadowed by professional turmoil, as Hamby was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023 after a contentious period.
Legal Complaints and Investigations
Filing with the EEOC
Last fall, Hamby filed a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that her trade was a direct result of her pregnancy. She received the right to sue from the EEOC in May and had 90 days to file the lawsuit.
- EEOC Complaint: Hamby’s EEOC complaint detailed her experiences, including the claim that she was accused of signing her contract extension while knowing she was pregnant.
- WNBA Investigation: The WNBA conducted two investigations in response to Hamby’s allegations. As a result, Coach Hammon was suspended for two games without pay, and the Aces were forced to forfeit a future 2025 draft pick. However, the lawsuit argues that these measures were insufficient and failed to address the harm done to Hamby.
Hamby took to Instagram on the day her trade was announced, calling the experience “traumatic” and accusing the Aces of lying, bullying, manipulating, and discriminating against her. She reiterated that she was accused of knowingly signing her contract extension while pregnant, a claim that was included in her lawsuit.
The Fallout
Impact on Hamby’s Career and Life
The lawsuit highlights the significant impact these events have had on Hamby’s career and personal life. Despite her commitment to her training and readiness to return for the 2023 season, Hamby faced numerous challenges.
- Emotional and Financial Strain: The lawsuit states that Hamby suffered both emotional and financial damage due to the discriminatory and retaliatory actions of the Aces and the WNBA.
- Career Setback: While Hamby has become a key player for the Los Angeles Sparks, the lawsuit suggests that the shift to a less prestigious team has been detrimental to her career. The Aces went on to win another WNBA championship in the 2023 season, whereas the Sparks did not make the playoffs.
Hamby gave birth to her son, Legend, on March 6, and reported for Sparks training camp on April 28. Remarkably, she did not miss any games due to her pregnancy, playing all 40 regular season games for the Sparks.
Legal Proceedings and Future Implications
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and following Hamby’s trade. It highlights a phone call in mid-January 2023, where Coach Hammon questioned Hamby’s commitment to the team and accused her of not taking precautions to avoid pregnancy. During this call, Hamby repeatedly asked if she was being traded because she was pregnant, to which Hammon did not deny the accusation.
- Allegations Against Hammon: The lawsuit accuses Hammon of questioning Hamby’s commitment and making discriminatory remarks about her pregnancy.
- Retaliation by the Aces: It also alleges that the Aces retaliated against Hamby by barring communication with her, seeking her medical records, and excluding her from team celebrations.
A day after this call, Hammon informed Hamby that her time with the Aces was over and gave her options for potential trade destinations. Ultimately, Hamby was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks on January 21, 2023.
FAQs
1. What is Dearica Hamby’s lawsuit about?
Hamby’s lawsuit alleges that the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces discriminated against her due to her pregnancy and retaliated against her for speaking out about her trade.
2. What federal law does Hamby’s lawsuit reference?
The lawsuit references Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees from sex-based discrimination, including pregnancy.
3. What actions did the WNBA take in response to Hamby’s allegations?
The WNBA conducted two investigations, resulting in a two-game suspension for Coach Becky Hammon and the forfeiture of a future draft pick by the Aces. However, Hamby’s lawsuit argues these actions were insufficient.
4. What impact has the trade had on Hamby’s career?
Hamby claims the trade has had a detrimental impact on her career, as she moved from a championship-winning team to one that did not make the playoffs.
5. What compensation is Hamby seeking?
Hamby is seeking compensation for economic losses and punitive damages for the emotional and financial distress caused by the alleged discrimination and retaliation.
Conclusion
Dearica Hamby’s lawsuit against the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces is a significant development in the ongoing conversation about the treatment of pregnant athletes in professional sports. The allegations of discrimination and retaliation highlight the challenges that female athletes face in balancing their careers and personal lives. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be crucial to see how the WNBA and the Aces respond and what implications this case may have for the future of women’s sports. The outcome could set a precedent for how pregnant athletes are treated and protected under federal laws, potentially leading to more robust safeguards and support systems within professional sports organizations.
