The complexities of being a woman often involve navigating the consequences of decisions made by men and other women, a reality deeply understood by the Las Vegas Aces. This dynamic plays a significant role in the lives of female athletes, who frequently find themselves affected by the choices made within their sport and community.
On Wednesday evening, the Las Vegas Aces achieved a historic feat by becoming the first team to win back-to-back WNBA Championships since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002. They secured a thrilling victory against the New York Liberty with a score of 70-69, triumphing on the road at the packed Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Despite facing the challenge of missing several key starters and role players, the Aces demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination to clinch the championship.
“This is what it’s all about, to have your name etched in history right now with other teams,” stated Finals MVP A’ja Wilson. “We never gave up, and this is a moment that we need to celebrate. This is a moment that not a lot of people get a chance to do it, and for us to do it shorthanded, it is truly amazing. It just makes winning that much better.”
Throughout the season, the Aces have emerged as the prominent face of the WNBA, showcasing exceptional talent and teamwork. The team, led by A’ja Wilson — widely regarded as the best player in the league — featured four All-Stars this year: Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Wilson herself. Additionally, they brought in Candace Parker, who faced injury challenges and missed a significant portion of the season. The Aces were coached by the highest-paid coach in the league, Becky Hammon, until recent changes saw the Phoenix Mercury hire Nate Tibbetts, a coach with no prior experience in women’s basketball, due to controversies surrounding gender biases in coaching appointments.
Despite being touted as the next dynasty in the league, the Aces represent both the best and the worst aspects of the WNBA. While Las Vegas, alongside the New York Liberty, has set historic attendance records and achieved impressive ticket sales during the 2023 WNBA Finals, significant issues still linger that many choose to overlook or address only superficially.
At the season’s outset, the Aces faced repercussions when they lost their 2025 first-round draft pick due to an extensive investigation involving over 30 individuals. This investigation ultimately led to head coach Becky Hammon receiving a two-game suspension for the franchise’s violations regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies. Former Aces player Dearica Hamby claimed that her trade to the Los Angeles Sparks was influenced by her pregnancy. The Washington Post reported her allegations:
“According to Hamby, Hammon told her she wasn’t ‘holding up her end of the bargain’ after signing a two-year contract extension that summer: ‘We didn’t expect you to get pregnant in the next two years,’ Hamby says Hammon told her.”
While Hammon has denied these allegations, the circumstances surrounding the situation remain troubling. Recently, Hamby filed a discrimination claim regarding her treatment and the circumstances of her trade.
In addition, Aces guard Riquna Williams has been absent from the team for several months due to being barred from team activities following multiple domestic violence-related charges that were ultimately dropped. The issue of men harassing women in sports is troubling, but it becomes more complex when women are involved in similar situations with each other.
“We’re aware of the charges being dropped, but her status with the Aces has not changed,” Hammon stated about Williams last month. Back in 2019, Williams served a 10-game suspension after being arrested for domestic battery charges. “We will move forward trying to win these next two games and going into the playoffs,” added Hammon.
But the challenges don’t stop there.
Aces and Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) owner Mark Davis faced scrutiny earlier this year for allegedly “making under-the-table payment offers to both current players and free agents the team has pursued.” These alleged actions suggest attempts to circumvent the salary cap regulations.
“It’s tough. I guess the thing is when I came into the league, I made it clear that one of my goals is to get the players more money. So, it’s not a secret to anybody. I wouldn’t do anything illegal within the framework of the league, but I’m going to do everything I possibly can up to the line without crossing it to get them more money,” Davis explained The Athletic in March. “Obviously, the way that it was reported was that we were giving under-the-table payments, which is absolutely false. If I was another team and we were doing that — giving under-the-table payments — I’d probably be upset, too. Because, again, I saw some of the comments that were made that if they’re doing that, well just let us know that’s the rules and we’ll do it, too. That’s not the case. But anytime that it’s talked about that we want more money for the players or that they think I’m paying them more money, as long as it’s being talked about, I think that’s a good thing.”
Adding to the intrigue, Tom Brady’s ownership stake in the Aces was recently approved, coinciding with his deal to acquire a minority stake in the Raiders being put on hold, raising questions about whether Davis might be offering him a discount on the buy-in price.
“We’ve been through a lot. We’ve been hurt, sued, arrested,” Plum stated earlier in the week. “You name it, we’ve done it.”
The Las Vegas Aces embody a captivating paradox. On the court, they represent a transcendent force within a sport witnessing a surge in popularity, boasting players who are not only talented but also passionate about expanding the game. However, off the court, the allegations against their head coach, owner, and a current teammate highlight the struggles of a franchise grappling with issues often associated with professional sports. This challenge is not the players’ fault, yet it remains a reality they must confront. In a twisted way, the Aces’ ability to thrive amid the controversies surrounding them signifies that the WNBA is gaining ground within the realm of other professional sports leagues in the country. As it stands, all major leagues are facing their own share of challenges.
