The WNBA is taking a major steps forward in protecting its players, both on and off the court. In their new collective agreement, teams are now require consent before trading a pregnant player. This is the start of a shift in the way the league will be more supportive of motherhood and players rights.
The league introduced “no-trade” protection, called the “Dearica Hamby Rule,” named after Dearica Hamby, who filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Las Vegas Aces, for trading her while she was pregnant in 2023.
The WNBPA confirmed the approval Monday, saying that it is “transformational” and “bigger than basketball.
Events Leading to the New Rule
Hamby has been with Aces since 2015, back when the team was still named San Antonio Stars. She has played a big part in contributing to the franchise and accumulated major accolades during her time with the team.
In June 2022, Hamby signed a two-year contract extension with the Aces. However, the team traded her to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2023 after she had just announced her pregnancy.
Everyone was shocked when she revealed the news. Hamby was having great performances all season long, but fans did not expect her to play at such a high level while pregnant.
Hamby believed the decision of her trade was motivated by her pregnancy. When Hamby confronted her coach at the time, Becky Hammon, Hamby stated that she asked, “You’re trading me because I’m pregnant?” The coach replied, “We didn’t expect you to get pregnant in the next two years. What do you want me to do?” This led to her filing an 18-page complaint in August 2024.
The situation coming to light would eventually lead to a three month investigation into Hammon. The league suspended her for two games and stripped the Aces of their first-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft
Hamby took to Instagram to accuse the Aces of unethical behavior. She said that trades are part of the business, but lies, bullying, manipulation, and discrimination cross the line.
After the trade, the Aces thought that Hamby wouldn’t be able to perform at a high level once again and assumed she wasn’t taking her workouts seriously.
How Does the New Rule Protect Players?
The new contracts will give pregnant players the power to veto any trade.This is helpful because it avoids relocation, changing doctors, and other physical and emotional stressors that could come during this important moment in their lives.
In addition to protecting players from switching teams, it will help players financially. The new contract includes a pregnancy and childbirth salary cap exception. This means that players will still receive their full salaries without it affecting the team’s salary cap.
Off the court, the league will help out with an expansion of family planning services to players and their partners. The league is not only helping by making it easier for pregnant players. They also agreed in the contract to boost the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million.
This new deal will also help with housing for all players from 2026 through 2029. It will give a bonus of $60,000, three times as much as what winning teams have received in the past for winning the WNBA championship.
Many supporters of the WNBA have been demanding that the league make changes for years, and now they are taking the first steps.
While the WNBA is still progressing, the impact of these decisions extends farther than just basketball. It is shaping the future of the league for more openness to equity and opportunity.
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