The WNBA announced punishment on Tuesday for the Aces following an investigation into the team’s offseason acquisitions and circumvention of the salary cap in putting together the roster.
“The WNBA announced today that it has rescinded the Las Vegas Aces’ 2025 first-round draft pick for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and suspended Las Vegas head coach Becky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.”
Following Hamby’s complaint to the WNBA that alleged misconduct, the league said that it interviewed 33 people, as well as texts, e-mails 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 on 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 punishment comes months after Howard Megal of The Next posed questions over how the team was putting together its roster filled with star players who were making less than they were in years prior.
Megdal was also the first to report that the league was looking into Las Vegas’s method 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 agent.
Per the report, a “high-level member” of the franchise would inform the player’s agent that they would then receive a call with a payment offer from a separate company in return for “negligible” work.
Given the WNBA’s punishment levied on Tuesday, it appears that the allegations had some truth to them, and now the Aces are paying the price.
