Dearica Hamby, a three-time WNBA All-Star and recent Olympic bronze medalist, has initiated a federal lawsuit against both the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces, her prior team, alleging that she faced discrimination and retaliation due to her pregnancy.

The lawsuit has been submitted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, where Hamby claims she experienced a “loss of reputational prestige and brand value” and missed out on “marketing and/or endorsement opportunities” following her trade to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023. She is seeking monetary damages through a jury trial.

“The WNBA is fundamentally a workplace, and federal regulations protect pregnant women from discrimination,” remarked Hamby’s legal representatives in a statement on Monday. “The championship Aces sidelined Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant, and the WNBA merely gave a gentle reprimand in response. This sends a warning to every potential mother in the league that having a child could drastically affect their career. This situation should not happen in one of America’s most successful and vibrant women’s professional sports leagues.”

The lawsuit asserts that the Aces had proposed additional incentives beyond the two-year contract she signed in June 2022 to keep her on the team. These incentives purportedly included covering the private education expenses for her daughter, Amaya, and providing team housing to facilitate childcare support during her travels for away games.

Shortly after signing her contract, Hamby found out she was pregnant and notified Aces’ coach Becky Hammon and general manager Natalie Williams. Following this disclosure, the lawsuit claims that she noticed a significant change in how Aces staff treated her.

Allegedly, the team withheld the promised tuition support for her daughter’s schooling and removed her from the team housing she was using for her family’s childcare help.

The lawsuit contends that during a phone call in January 2023, Hammon “questioned Hamby’s commitment and dedication to the team,” and did not deny that the trade was linked to Hamby’s pregnancy.

The Las Vegas Aces have not yet responded to a request for comment on this issue.

In September 2023, Hamby filed a discrimination report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which subsequently issued her a “notice of right to sue” in May 2024. This notice followed the EEOC’s investigation, permitting her to initiate a lawsuit against her employer either in federal or state court.

For the current season with the Sparks, Hamby, aged 30, is achieving career highs, averaging 19.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Moreover, she secured a bronze medal with Team USA’s 3×3 women’s basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.