
May 17, 2023
The WNBA rescinded the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 first-round draft pick and suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games following an investigation that found the franchise violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.
According to the league, which announced the penalties Tuesday, the team violation entailed promises of impermissible benefits during contract extension negotiations for former Aces player Dearica Hamby. The Respect in the Workplace violation stemmed from comments Hammon made to Hamby in connection to the latter's pregnancy.
The Aces don't have a 2024 first-round selection because of a prior trade.
The Aces said in a statement Tuesday evening that they were "deeply disappointed by the outcome of the WNBA investigation.
"We are committed to supporting all our players to the fullest extent allowed by the WNBA," the statement said. "Our actions have always been consistent with our responsibility to hold ourselves to the highest professional standards, and the facts we presented were consistent with these standards. The well-being of our players and their families has and will always be at the forefront of who we are.
Source: ESPN