Opinion: The Double Standards of Pregnancy in Sports – The Story Behind Becky Hammon’s Suspension

The suspension of Becky Hammon, coach of Las Vegas Aces, by the Women’s National Basketball Association (W.N.B.A.), for comments made to All-Star forward Dearica Hamby, have once again brought to light the pervasive double standards related to pregnancy in sports. The comments made by Hammon were deemed by the league as violating their policy on respect in the workplace, leading to a two-game suspension without pay. However, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association expressed that the suspension was inadequate and did not send the message that player dignity should not be manipulated. The punishment, however inadequate, raised the question of how pregnancy is viewed in sports.

### Pregnancy and Double Standards in Sports

The recent suspension of Becky Hammon and the case of other female athletes show how pregnancy is viewed with suspicion in sports, particularly for women. Pregnancy is considered as a problem or hindrance for women athletes as they are seen as not being able to perform at their best. The very fact that Dearica Hamby, an All-Star player, was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks after signing a contract extension shows how pregnancy is still viewed as a handicap in sports.

The double standards in sports related to this issue are glaring. Male athletes who face health issues or take paternity leave are not subjected to the same scrutiny and punishment as female athletes. Moreover, female athletes face scrutiny from physicians, coaches, and fans after pregnancy-related absences. Hamby’s post on Instagram accusing an unnamed person of making “disgusting comments” and questioning her commitment to the team after she became pregnant is just one example of how women athletes still face discrimination in sports.

### The Fight for Better Pregnancy Benefits for Athletes

As there is still a long way to go in terms of greater investment in the W.N.B.A., benefits for parents continue to be a major issue. The fight to support professional athletes who are parents and to provide better benefits for them, especially during pregnancy, is shaping up across sports. The W.N.B.A.’s latest collective bargaining agreement, signed in 2020, included a wave of new or increased motherhood-related benefits, including full pay during maternity leave, more spacious housing, a $5,000 child care stipend, and benefits for adoption and fertility treatments.

However, athletes still have to fight for income protection during pregnancy. Allyson Felix, a decorated Olympic medalist in track and field, and Serena Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in tennis, had to fight for income protection after having children. Professional soccer player Sara Björk Gunnarsdottir sued her former team of Lyon over its treatment during her pregnancy in May 2022. Her former team did not pay her during her pregnancy, making it clear that greater action is required for the safety and protection of athletes who are parents.

### Conclusion

The W.N.B.A.’s suspension of coach Becky Hammon for her pregnancy comments reinforces the double standards in sports, where pregnancy is still viewed as a hindrance for female athletes, which is not the case for males. The punishment is a reminder that greater action is required to support athletes who are parents and to provide them with full income protection during pregnancy. The fight for pregnancy leave and benefits for athletes is still in its infancy, and a lot needs to be done to create a more comprehensive system which provides adequate protection for them.