WNBA Announces Punishment for Aces, Becky Hammon After Investigation

The league came down hard on the Aces following an investigation into the franchise for multiple violations.

The WNBA announced punishment on Tuesday for the Aces following an investigation into the team’s handling of former player Dearica Hamby’s contract extension negotiations and her allegations of misconduct against the franchise.

“The WNBA announced today that it has rescinded the Las Vegas Aces’ 2025 first-round draft pick for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and suspended Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon for two games without pay for violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies,” the statement began.

“Due to a prior trade, Las Vegas does not have a 2024 first-round pick. The team violation involved promises of impermissible benefits in connection with negotiations for an extension of then Aces player Dearica Hamby’s player contract. The Respect in the Workplace violation was related to comments made by Hammon to Hamby in connection with Hamby’s recent pregnancy.”

The punishment comes four months after Hamby alleged misconduct against the franchise during contract negotiations. After being traded in January to the Sparks for a 2024 second-round pick and the rights to Amanda Zahui B., Hamby penned an Instagram post detailing the allegations.

“I have had my character and work ethic attacked,” Hamby wrote. “I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that were not followed through on. I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant. This is false. I was told that I was a ‘question mark’ and that it was said that I said I would ‘get pregnant again’ and there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team. I was told that ‘I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain’ because ’no one expected me to get pregnant in the next two years.’” 

She also alleges that franchise management asked whether she planned her pregnancy, and when she told them no, they allegedly told Hamby that she was “not taking precautions to not get pregnant” and that she would be traded because she wouldn’t be ready to play and the Aces “needed bodies.”

Following Hamby’s complaint to the WNBA that alleged misconduct, the league said that it interviewed 33 people, as well as reviewed texts, emails and other relevant documents that allowed it to come to the decision to suspend Hammon and issue discipline to the franchise.

“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 the statement. “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 WNBPA also released a statement Tuesday slamming the league for the lack of discipline levied against Hammon in regard to her comments to Hamby that were under investigation.

“The League had an opportunity to send a clear message that it abides by and protects the provisions of the CBA, particularly those that we were most proud of—the provisions meant to support player parents. Today’s decision regarding penalties, however, misses the mark. Where in this decision does this team or any team across the League learn the lesson that respect in the workplace is the highest standard and a player’s dignity cannot be manipulated? … We will continue to support our member as she considers the League’s decision and explores all available remedies.” 

The Aces were also investigated by the WNBA for claims of salary cap violations. Howard Megal of The Next posed questions about how the team was putting together its star-studded roster who were making less than in years before, and he first reported that the league was looking into Las Vegas’s methods of acquiring players following their 2022 title. 

The initial report stated that the Aces were under review for under-the-table payment offers to current players and prospective free agents. However, after an investigation, the league was unable to substantiate salary cap circumvention allegations made against the franchise, per ESPN. 

Editors’ note, May 17 at 12:00 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this story misstated that the WNBA's investigation was into the team's offseason acquisitions and salary cap. The WNBA's investigation that led to the punishment looked at the handling of Dearica Hamby’s contract extension and allegations of misconduct in the Aces franchise.