The WNBA announced Tuesday it suspended Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon for two games following an investigation into misconduct by the team.
Las Vegas will also forfeit its 2025 first-round pick.
The league said the Aces offered impermissible benefits when negotiating an extension with Dearica Hamby, and it found Hammon made comments toward Hamby that violated its Respect in the Workplace guidelines.
WNBA @WNBAWe have rescinded the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 first-round draft pick for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits & suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two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<br><br>Full Statement ⬇️ <a href="">
"It's critical that we uphold the values of integrity and fairness, which create a level playing field for our teams," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. "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."
The Women's National Basketball Players Association issued a statement after the announcement was made. The players' union said the WNBA's decision "misses the mark" and that "an honest view of the facts" deems the discipline "far from appropriate."
WNBPA @TheWNBPAOur statement regarding the League's announcement of the findings of its investigation. <a href="">
The reigning champion Aces traded Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks on Jan. 21. Later that day, she alleged she had been "lied to, bullied, manipulated and discriminated against."
Khristina Williams @KhristinaDearica Hamby released a statement via Instagram on her departure from the Aces. <a href="">
During the team's championship celebration in September, the two-time All-Star announced she was pregnant. She alleged Aces officials accused her of signing a contract extension "knowingly pregnant." She also said the team used her pregnancy as a pretext to question her commitment.
In addition to the allegations of gender discrimination, Hamby said she "was promised things to entice me to sign" the extension.
The Next Hoops' Howard Megdal reported Feb. 8 that the WNBA was looking into whether the Aces violated the collective bargaining agreement by offering players impermissible benefits:
"According to those familiar with the allegations, the pattern alleged that the team followed typically involved a high-level member of the Aces instructing the agent of a potential signing—either a free agent, or an Aces player negotiating an extension—that at the conclusion of the phone call between team and agent, the agent would receive a call with an offer for a specific amount of money from a particular, pre-selected company. The work involved would be negligible, according to those familiar with the allegations."
Megdal also explained how the WNBA and Engelbert had to strike a delicate balance depending on what was uncovered.
Coming down too hard might embolden critics who have called attention to the comparatively low pay for WNBA players. A perceived slap on the wrist, on the other hand, might lead teams to believe the penalties associated with violating the CBA don't outweigh the benefit of bending the rules to land a marquee talent.
In the end, the WNBA opted against dropping the hammer on Las Vegas. A two-game suspension for Hammon doesn't derail the Aces' repeat bid. They figured to be picking toward the back end of the first round in 2025 as well, a position where teams don't often find a ton of value.
