WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces' head coach Becky Hammon has been suspended for two games by the league amid comments she made about former Aces player Dearica Hamby’s pregnancy. The league investigation found that Hammon's remarks violated the league's Respect in the Workplace policies. Per Yahoo Sports, "without naming anyone specifically, Hamby also said the Aces questioned her commitment to the team, calling her a "question mark" because she would "get pregnant again."
The WNBA issued the following statement amid the announcement of Hammon's suspension:
"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 a 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 player's association followed up with a statement of their own charging the league with not going far enough:
"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," the statement said. "Where in this decision does this team or any other team across the League learn the lesson that respect in the workplace is the highest standard and a player’s dignity cannot be manipulated?"
In a separate probe, the Aces will lose a draft pick, the first punishment of its kind in league history after the investigation found that the team promised "impermissible benefits" to Hamby during contract negotiations.
Source: Sports.yahoo.com
