The Las Vegas Aces and Dearica Hamby have jointly agreed to drop her lawsuit against the WNBA team, as indicated in a federal court filing on Thursday. Hamby, currently with the Los Angeles Sparks, had sued the Aces and the league alleging mistreatment due to her pregnancy. In May, a federal judge dismissed her lawsuit against the WNBA, ruling that Hamby did not sufficiently prove that the league failed to properly investigate the Aces.
Hamby initially filed the lawsuit against the Aces in August 2024, accusing them of discrimination and retaliation that led to her being traded to the Sparks in January 2023. The league and the teams moved to dismiss the case in September 2024. On Thursday, both Hamby and the Aces submitted a motion to the U.S. District Court in Nevada to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought back to court. Both sides will share the costs of attorney fees.
Hamby told Front Office Sports she won’t comment on the lawsuit’s resolution but maintains her stance on the issues she raised. The Aces have yet to respond. Previously, Aces coach Becky Hammon explained that Hamby’s trade to Los Angeles was part of a strategy to potentially sign future Hall of Famer Candace Parker. Hammon emphasized that no formal complaints were filed by Hamby with the players’ association or the WNBA and that trade discussions only began in January 2023.
Hamby, a three-time All-Star and two-time Aces Player of the Year, had her best season last year, averaging 18.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. The Aces are now aiming for their third WNBA Championship in four years.
Fan Take: This case highlights ongoing challenges female athletes face, especially regarding pregnancy and workplace rights in professional sports. For WNBA fans, it’s a pivotal moment that could push the league towards stronger protections and support systems for players, ultimately advancing the sport’s professionalism and inclusiveness.
