WNBA Adds Pregnancy Trade Protections in New Deal

The new rule requires player consent before any trade during pregnancy.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:00pm

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The WNBA has announced a new deal that includes protections for players who become pregnant, requiring teams to obtain the player's consent before making any trades during pregnancy. This comes after high-profile cases like Liz Cambage's discrimination allegations against the Las Vegas Aces, which helped galvanize support for the new rule. The new season is set to tip off on May 8, with several players, including Hamby and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, balancing motherhood and professional basketball.

Why it matters

The new pregnancy trade protections are seen as a milestone for player rights in the WNBA, helping to ensure that players are not discriminated against or mistreated due to pregnancy. This is an important step in supporting female athletes who choose to have children during their careers.

The details

The new rule requires WNBA teams to obtain a player's consent before trading them during pregnancy. This comes after high-profile cases like Liz Cambage's allegations that the Las Vegas Aces discriminated against and bullied her over her pregnancy before trading her to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023. The new protections are being framed as a win not just for current athletes but for future generations of WNBA players navigating pregnancy during their careers.

  • The WNBA's new season is set to tip off on May 8, 2026.
  • Pre-season starts next month.

The players

Liz Cambage

A WNBA player who alleged the Las Vegas Aces discriminated against and bullied her over her pregnancy before trading her to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

A WNBA player who is an example of a player balancing motherhood and professional basketball.

Hamby

A WNBA player who is an example of a player balancing motherhood and professional basketball.

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The takeaway

The new WNBA deal adding pregnancy trade protections is an important step in supporting female athletes who choose to have children during their careers, helping to ensure they are not discriminated against or mistreated due to pregnancy.