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Reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty have suspended one-time All-Star Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's contract due to suffering a non-WNBA injury in the offseason, women's basketball insider Khristina Williams reported on Wednesday.
According to Williams, the Liberty went the route of suspending Laney-Hamilton's deal to "allow the team to remove her contract from the cap while keeping exclusive negotiation rights for the future."
The contract suspension will give New York flexibility. In the upcoming season, Laney-Hamilton will earn $185,000 and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, per Spotrac.
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According to Williams, despite the suspension of her WNBA contract, Laney-Hamilton's injury will be covered by Unrivaled.
"Because Laney-Hamilton was injured while playing in Unrivaled and can’t play in the WNBA this season, she qualifies for injury insurance through Unrivaled, which will cover her full WNBA salary," Williams tweeted.
Laney-Hamilton suffered a meniscus tear while playing for Laces BC in Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 professional women's basketball league co-founded by Liberty star Breanna Stewart. Laney-Hamilton had a successful offseason surgery to repair an acute meniscus ailment in her knee.
Laney-Hamilton was key to New York's championship run last season, despite dealing with knee issues. In 28 regular-season games, she averaged 11.8 points and 4.2 rebounds. She notably delivered a 20-point performance in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals to help the Liberty tie the series at one game apiece.
"Our hearts break" - Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb on Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's injury
On Tuesday, the New York Liberty shared general manager Jonathan Kolb's statement regarding the status of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton in the upcoming season.
"Our hearts break for Betnijah that she will not be able to take the court this season," Kolb said in a statement. "Betnijah gave us everything last season en route to becoming a WNBA champion. We look forward to celebrating with B on Saturday as we raise the franchise's first championship banner.
"We will continue to ensure that she receives the best possible care throughout her rehabilitation process."
Despite her recovery from injury, Laney-Hamilton is expected to be present during Liberty's banner-raising ceremony to celebrate last year's championship run.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's Liberty will open the 2025 WNBA season against reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's Las Vegas Aces on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
