Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon has been suspended for two games without pay the WNBA announced Tuesday. Hammon, whose potential to be an NBA coach farmers more attention than what she does in the WNBA, received the suspension for violating leave rules surrounding impermissible player benefits.
The Aces themselves did not escape punishment, as they had their 2025 first-round draft pick rescinded.
The WNBAPB issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
“The League had an opportunity to send a clear message that it abides by and protects the provisions of the CBA, particularly those that we were most proud of – the provisions meant to support player parents. Today’s decision regarding penalties, however, misses the mark,” the statement said. “Where in this decision does this team or any other team across the League learn the lesson that respect in the workplace is the highest standard and a player’s dignity cannot be manipulated?”
The violations surround the contract extension negotiations with forward Dearica Hamby, in which there were allegedly promises made of impermissible benefits. The complaint that launched the investigation that ultimately resulted in the punishment was initiated by a complaint from Hamby herself on January 21, 2023. Hamby was traded from the Aces to the Los Angeles Sparks center Amanda Zahui B. and Los Angeles’ second-round pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft for Las Vegas’ 2024 first-round pick.
an investigation revealed that Hammon had violated the league’s Respect in the Workplace policies with comments about Hamby’s pregnancy.
In a statement posted to her Instagram account, Hamby indicated the team made promises in order to “entice” her to sign the extension and then acuused her of deceivng the team because she signed the extension knowing that she was already expecting.
Hmby also stated the Aces questioned her commitment to the team, referring to her as a “question mark” who may get pregnant again. Hamby maintains she was fully committed to the team and wanted to return for the 2023 season without missing any time.
sunday, eight weeks after giving birth to her second child, Hamby played in a preseason game for the Spraks against the Seattle Storm. She played 20 minutes, scoring three points and grabbing six rebounds.
