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The WNBA has suspended Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon for two games without pay “for violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies” for comments made by the coach to former Aces player Dearica Hamby while the player was pregnant.
The league also docked the Aces their 2025 first-round draft pick for “promises of impermissible benefits” in salary negotiations with Hamby.
The Aces already have traded away their 2024 first-round pick.
Hammon, 46, has been mentioned for NBA head coaching jobs in recent years.
Hamby, 29, was traded from Las Vegas to the Los Angeles Sparks in January, and afterward, she posted comments on Instagram castigating the Aces for her treatment.
Hamby accused the franchise of calling her a “question mark,” and claiming that she “didn’t hold up [her] end of the bargain.”
She also said she was criticized for “not taking precautions to not get pregnant.”
After the Aces signed forward Alysha Clark and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker in early February, the WNBA announced an investigation to see if they received “impermissible benefits” — possibly pay under the table.
Parker made $195,000 last season, but signed with the Aces for $100,000, according to USA Today.
The WNBA said Tuesday it could not “substantiate” any violations occurred regarding the signings of Parker or Clark.
“It is critical that we uphold the values of integrity and fairness, which create a level playing field for our teams,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement announcing discipline for Hammon and the Aces.
“The Aces failed to adhere to league rules and regulations and have been disciplined accordingly. 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 teams.”
We have rescinded the Las Vegas Aces’ 2025 first-round draft pick for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits & suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games w/o pay for violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies
Full Statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MtHz1yP2Gm
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 16, 2023Owned by Raiders owner Mark Davis, the Aces are the defending WNBA champions.
— With Associated Press
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