WNBA Suspends Coach Becky Hammon For Passing Comments On Pregnant Player

After an inquiry into claims that a player was harassed because she was pregnant, Becky Hammon, the coach of the Las Vegas Aces, was given a two-game unpaid suspension. According to the WNBA, the franchise also forfeited a first-round draft selection in 2025 for breaking the league’s regulations on player perks.

WNBA Suspends Coach Becky Hammon For 2 Games For Passing Comments On Pregnant Player

At the end of January, Hamby, a two-time WNBA All-Star, was dealt from Vegas to Los Angeles. Soon later, she claimed that she had been mistreated because of her second pregnancy on Instagram.

Hammon was suspended after player Dearica Hamby claimed in January that the Las Vegas Aces had “bullied” and “manipulated” her when she became pregnant with her second child. The two-time all-star, who was selected in the franchise’s 2015 draft while it was still known as the San Antonio Stars, extended his or her contract with the Aces in June before the group captured its first WNBA championship in September.

“I was asked if I planned my pregnancy,” she wrote of the Aces in her statement. “When I responded, ‘no,’ I was then told that I ‘was not taking precautions to not get pregnant.'”

She continued, “I was being traded because ‘I wouldn’t be ready and we need bodies.'”

The Aces at the time issued a statement that said, “We take seriously our duty to hold ourselves to the greatest professional standards. As an organization whose aim is to encourage and recognize the immensely talented women in our league.

The decisions were reached following a lengthy inquiry into the group that was sparked by remarks made to former player Dearica Hamby over her pregnancy. Since the Aces don’t have a 2024 first-round pick thanks to a previous trade, the franchise lost its 2025 first-round pick.

“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 WNBA teams,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

Following Hamby’s remarks, the league said it launched an investigation that included 33 interviews and “a review of numerous texts, emails, and other documents.” The WNBA claimed that Hammon’s remarks to Hamby about her pregnancy constituted a violation.

She said that her dedication to the group was also questioned.

“Did the team expect me to promise not to get pregnant in exchange for the contract extension?” Hamby wrote in the post. She had signed a contract extension in June 2022.

On Tuesday’s decision, Hammon has not yet made any public remarks.

 

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