Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby is taking legal action against the WNBA and the franchise she spent the majority of her professional basketball career with. She submitted documentation to the U.S. District Court of Nevada alleging repeated acts of intimidation, discrimination, and retaliation that she faced leading up to and after she was traded to the Sparks in 2023 while she was pregnant. The WNBA launched an investigation into Hamby’s discrimination claims in 2023, resulting in Aces coach Becky Hammon receiving a two-game suspension and the franchise forfeiting a first-round draft pick. However, Hamby’s attorneys argued that the league’s response was inadequate, stating that federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination in the workplace.
The lawyers representing Hamby, Dana Sniegocki, Erin Norgaard, and Artur Davis of HKM Employment Attorneys, criticized the WNBA for not taking appropriate action in response to Hamby’s situation, stating that her ordeal should put other potential mothers in the league on notice about the potential repercussions of childbirth on their career prospects. They argued that it is not right for childbirth to change a player’s career prospects overnight in a league that is one of the most prosperous and dynamic women’s professional sports leagues in America. Hamby, a two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and member of the Aces 2022 championship team, is seeking justice for the discrimination she allegedly faced.
Fox News Digital reached out to the WNBA and the Aces for comment on the legal action taken by Hamby but did not immediately receive a response. The lawsuit against the league and the franchise that Hamby spent the majority of her professional basketball career with highlights the importance of protecting pregnant women from discrimination in the workplace. The case also raises questions about the responsibility of sports leagues and teams to ensure that their players are treated fairly and in accordance with federal laws regarding pregnant women’s rights in the workplace. It serves as a reminder that athletes, regardless of their status or success, are still entitled to the same protections and rights as any other employee.
The situation involving Dearica Hamby and the WNBA sheds light on the challenges and obstacles that female athletes, particularly pregnant athletes, face in their careers. It prompts a larger conversation about the treatment of women in professional sports and the need for leagues and teams to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all players, regardless of their personal circumstances. The legal action taken by Hamby sends a message to the sports world that discrimination and retaliation against pregnant athletes will not be tolerated, and that female athletes deserve the same respect and opportunities as their male counterparts in the industry.
The case also serves as a reminder of the importance of gender equality and workplace protections for pregnant women in professional sports, where female athletes are often faced with unique challenges and barriers. The legal action taken by Dearica Hamby against the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces highlights the need for greater awareness and advocacy for the rights of pregnant athletes in sports, and serves as a call to action for leagues and teams to ensure that all players are treated fairly and in accordance with federal laws governing discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. Hamby’s courage in pursuing legal action against the league and the franchise she spent the majority of her career with sets an important precedent for the treatment of women in professional sports and reinforces the importance of creating a level playing field for all athletes, regardless of their gender or personal circumstances.
