The Aces start their quest for another WNBA title on Saturday. They'll do so without their head coach.
Becky Hammon has been suspended for two games without pay for violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies, while Las Vegas will be forced to forfeit its 2025 first-round selection, the league announced Tuesday.
Tuesday's decision stems from the organization's handling of contract extension negotiations with former Aces player Dearica Hamby. Hamby, who was traded to the Sparks in the offseason, alleged that her former organization acted in a "traumatizing" manner due to her pregnancy.
Following an investigation, the WNBA found that the Aces violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits. Hammon's suspension, meanwhile, comes from comments made regarding Hamby's pregnancy.
Here's what you need to know.
Why was Becky Hammon suspended two games?
Hammon's suspension comes from comments made about Hamby. In her post, Hamby claimed that disparaging comments were made at her expense by "women who are mothers, who have claimed to 'be in these shoes,' who preach family, chemistry and women's empowerment." She did not specify which member of the organization allegedly made the remarks.
In a Time story published on Monday, Hammon admitted that she believed she was one of the mothers Hamby referred to. She added that she felt her and the Aces acted appropriately in their handling of Hamby's situation.
League authorities found that Hammon had violated league and team Respect in the Workplace policies, leading to her two-game ban.
"We are also disheartened by the violation of our Respect in the Workplace policies and remain committed to ensuring that enhanced training is conducted and standards are followed across all WNBA teams," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's statement read.
WNBA Respect in the Workplace policy
The league's Respect in Workplace policy has not been made public knowledge. However, the NBA, which owns the WNBA, states it is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all working within its walls.
From the NBA's official website:
The NBA strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. As an organization, we respect and value our differences while coming together as colleagues and teammates. We recognize the importance of both diversity and inclusion, and we work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard.
Why the Aces were forced to forfeit their 2025 first-round pick
Hamby, a pivotal member of the Aces' 2022 championship team, inked a two-year extension to stay in Las Vegas last June. During the Aces' championship parade, the 29-year-old announced that was pregnant with her second child.
Despite expressing her interest in playing in 2023 and taking part in offseason workouts while pregnant, Hamby alleged that Aces personnel attacked her work ethic. She took her frustrations public after being dealt to Los Angeles in January, posting a fiery statement on Instagram.
In her statement, Hamby accused her former organization of acting in an "unethical and unprofessional" way. Hamby said that Las Vegas personnel "promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that were not followed through on."
She also indicated that her pregnancy was the reason for her trade to the Sparks. The league's CBA, enacted in 2020, stipulates that WNBA players receive their full salary while on maternity leave, as well as a childcare stipend. Teams are granted a maternity cap exception allowing teams to sign a replacement player if they don't have enough cap room.
"Did the team expect me to promise not to get pregnant in exchange for the contract extension?," Hamby's statement read. "I was asked if I planned my pregnancy. When I responded, 'no,' I was then told that I 'was not taking precautions to not get pregnant.' I was being traded because 'I wouldn't be ready and we need bodies.'"
The WNBA found that Las Vegas' front office had, indeed, offered impermissible incentives in Hamby's contract. As such, they were docked their first-round selection in 2025. The Aces gave up their 2024 first rounder in the trade that sent Hamby to Los Angeles.
"It is critical that we uphold the values of integrity and fairness, which create a level playing field for our teams," Engelbert said in a statement. "The Aces failed to adhere to league rules and regulations and have been disciplined accordingly."
The WNBPA released a statement blasting the league for its punishment, which will deprive a player of first-round status — and, more importantly, access to a first-round salary. WNBA rosters are notoriously difficult to make as a rookie; for example, the Fever waived Emily Engstler last month, the No. 4 pick in last year's draft.
"While taking away a future draft pick is significant and has never been done in the league's history, it penalizes a future player by removing an opportunity to compete for a job," the WNBPA's statement read.
Our statement regarding the League’s announcement of the findings of its investigation. pic.twitter.com/GLhkKUlVL8
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) May 16, 2023
