Dearica Hamby, who spent five years with the Las Vegas Aces and contributed to their 2022 championship victory, faced a troubling incident involving her daughter Amaya during a game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Friday. The arena crowd booed when Amaya appeared on the jumbotron, and Hamby later discovered that online fans mocked and harassed her daughter after the event.
Following the game, Hamby shared a screenshot of an offensive social media post, including its replies, highlighting the online abuse her daughter received. She accompanied it with a strong message in a tweet that she later deleted.
“No space for hate huh YALL ARE F***ING WEIRD,” Hamby tweeted.
The fans at the arena likely did not realize that the child shown was Hamby’s daughter; the Aces had actually displayed an unrelated Sparks fan. Since the trade before the 2023 season, Hamby has been playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, leaving Las Vegas behind.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again on June 11 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Later, Los Angeles will host their final two regular-season games against the Aces on July 29 and September 11.
Background of Hamby’s Legal Dispute with the Aces
The cold reception from some Las Vegas fans toward Dearica Hamby may relate to her ongoing legal battle with the Aces, which began after she was traded to the LA Sparks in January 2023. Hamby filed a lawsuit alleging that the Aces violated her rights by trading her while she was pregnant.
Her lawsuit also accused the team of discrimination and claimed that the WNBA retaliated by inadequately investigating her complaints and by refusing to renew marketing agreements with her. Additionally, Hamby’s suit charged the Aces with excluding her from the White House visit celebrating their championship.
On May 16, federal judge Andrew P. Gordon dismissed Hamby’s case against the league itself but ruled that her claims against the team should proceed, stating she had presented enough evidence to continue the suit. According to ESPN, the judge found insufficient proof that the league ignored the investigation but allowed the team-specific allegations to move forward.
Implications of the Harassment and Legal Battle
Dearica Hamby’s public response to the harassment of her daughter reflects the ongoing tension surrounding her relationship with the Las Vegas Aces and their fanbase. The incident at Michelob ULTRA Arena and the hostile online reactions emphasize the personal challenges Hamby has faced amid her professional transition.
With the teams set for future clashes this season, the situation highlights broader issues of support, respect, and the consequences of legal disputes within professional sports. How the Aces’ community and league will respond remains a closely watched matter moving forward.