Dearica Hamby has been rebuilding in Los Angeles, but she was once part of the Las Vegas Aces dynasty. After they won their first title in 2022 Hamby was surprisingly traded after averaging 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds. According to her, that was because she got pregnant. Hamby sued the Aces in 2024 for discrimination after the WNBA investigation into her complaints did not amount to what Hamby expected. It was eventually dropped last year by mutual consent of both parties. After that lawsuit, a special clause has been added to the recently agreed WNBA CBA. 

Hamby’s attorneys had said in a statement that the Aces had “exiled” Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant. On the other hand, coach Becky Hammon maintained that pregnancy did not play a part in that trade. “It’s also factual that nobody made a call about trading her until Atlanta called us in January (2023). That’s a fact. So … it just didn’t happen.”  

Yet, to this day friction remains, as Hamby stood by her words even after the legal matters were resolved. “I stand by what I said” she said. (in the original complaint) And that “the case is resolved.” So that this kind of matter does not repeat, the league has inserted a pregnancy clause in the new CBA. 

In the “Key Elements Of the Tentative Bargaining Agreement” released by the WNBA, the final note reads, “Teams must obtain player consent before trading a pregnant player.” In the case of Dearica Hamby, she alleged to have been “lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against.” While the Aces communicated their decision, Hamby had no say in it. 

With this clause, a pregnant athlete will have the veto power against such a trade. It exists to protect the player from travel, stress and physical exertion during a physically and emotionally demanding period. The players won’t have to change their doctors and retain consistency.

The league also added a “Pregnancy and childbirth salary cap exception.” It means the pregnant player will get her full salary and it won’t count toward the team’s salary cap. It would help franchises retain a player and help them through this time and not have it affect on-court balance. The new CBA also includes, “Expanded family planning benefits for players and their spouses/partners.” While we don’t know what exactly these benefits are, it’s clear the WNBA and the WNBPA want the league to become more family friendly. The athletes shouldn’t have to choose.

WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier has already displayed that at her 3v3 league, Unrivaled. It included a childcare center staffed with professional nannies, which was open to players before, during, and after their practices and games. “That was really important to us from the beginning to make sure that there was reliable, responsible childcare for people, because we know what it’s like to not have that,” Collier has said. Now, she and the WNBPA have pushed the WNBA to have a better atmosphere for the mothers as well. Along with better support for pregnant athletes, the league is also stepping up their health benefits.

WNBPA Negotiate Increased Health Benefits In The CBA After Protest

Shakira Austin of the Mystics sent a clear message back in January. Knicks forward Guershon Yabusele said that he prefers the NBA to Europe because of the “lifetime pension,” which is also extended to the family after 5 years. To which Austin replied, “Must be niceeee, over here they telling vets to pay for a flight to All-Star weekend to get checked by a doc in a pop up tent.” 

Even the WNBPA sent their statement saying, “Player health isn’t optional! Our athletes deserve real, long-term medical care, not temporary fixes. We stand with our players and will keep pushing for benefits that reflect their value and sacrifice.” It feels they have managed to get their way after the release of CBA details. 

The previous CBA had a life insurance of $100,000, that number has gone up to $700,000. The new CBA asl includes, “Expanded team staffing requirements, including access to additional physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical and massage therapists, and nutritionists.” The league has also included more mental health benefits and reimbursements for the athletes. 

So, the league is not only moving forward in terms of  pregnancy care but also overall player experience. It will attract more international talent, just like in the case of Yabusele. Many players weren’t choosing the WNBA because it’s moving to a foreign country without much financial benefit. Now, the benefit compared to the European leagues is clearly present. The product quality of the WNBA should rise because of that.