On Aug. 12, Dearica Hamby filed a lawsuit against the Las Vegas Aces, claiming she experienced discrimination after she disclosed her pregnancy to the franchise in August 2022. League officials decided to investigate the matter. However, they have filed separate motions with the Aces to dismiss Hamby's lawsuit. This choice garnered strong reactions from WNBA fans.
After helping Las Vegas win the 2022 title, Hamby learned she was pregnant in mid-July. Her lawsuit claims she was traded to the LA Sparks once the Aces heard about her situation.
The lawsuit also accused the WNBA of failing to properly investigate Hamby's claims against the Aces. Las Vegas Review-Journal's Callie Lawson-Freeman reported the latest developments in the story.
When news detailing Hamby's ordeal broke, fans took to social media to voice their disapproval toward the Aces and WNBA.
"The Aces should get punished for this shit."
X users @thefutxre and Lexi/ I love the WNBA & WBB (@LexSturniolo) found the decision made by the WNBA and the Aces problematic.
Meanwhile, user Jayeee (@Ooh_Im_Fanceyy) criticized Becky Hammon after the lawsuit claimed she questioned Hamby's dedication to the team's goals.
User UnbiasedAcesFan22 (@ionescuwketchup), on the other hand, preferred that the Aces organization experience some bad luck.
"We all know they committed wrongdoings but the fact they want to cover it up and not be held responsible is so gross! Rooting for D always," the fan posted.
"What? Dismiss it? She was treated terribly. I feel so bad for Dearica like she went through so much and deserves so much better," the fan posted.
"Becky is truly a piece of sh*t and the rest of the organization who is siding with her on this is also a piece of sh*t. F**k the Aces for real, for real," the fan posted.
"I hope this team loses its first-round pick for the next 10 years," the fan posted.
Hamby has yet to respond to the Aces or speak about the league's motions to dismiss her lawsuit.
Dearica Hamby controlled her emotions in Las Vegas return
During her appearance on the Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast, Dearica Hamby spoke about how the fans treated her on Aug. 18 when she returned to Las Vegas. It wasn't the welcome she expected, but the mother and champion argued that the franchise's newer fans might not understand her situation.
"I fought back tears the entire game," Hamby said. "It was heartbreaking, but people don't fully know and understand, they're just going off the sport aspect of it. I understand that. I don't know if they were new fans, I think a lot of the old fans probably weren't participating in that."
She stated that keeping her emotions in check during the game was challenging. Hamby also highlighted it wasn't her choice to be traded from the team. She played five seasons with the Aces before being the franchise sent her to the LA Sparks.