• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

WNBA Investigating Las Vegas Tourism Arm’s $100K Payments to Aces Players

  • It’s the second year in a row the Aces are under investigation. 
  • The sponsorship does not violate WNBA salary cap rules but may challenge the spirit of them. 
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

One of the early highlights of the WNBA’s season is now under scrutiny. 

On Friday, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority made waves on social media when Steve Hill, its president and CEO, told the Aces it will provide a $100,000 sponsorship to each member of the roster for the 2024 and ’25 seasons. 

The gesture is now under investigation by the league, WNBA officials confirmed to ESPN.

It’s the second time in as many seasons the Las Vegas Aces are under investigation after allegations of extra benefits to players and accusations by current Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, who said the team traded her because she was pregnant. (Hamby has filed a lawsuit saying the Aces discriminated against her, and coach Becky Hammon was suspended two games for her treatment of Hamby.) 

On Saturday, after a win over the Sparks, Hammon said the organization has nothing to do with the sponsorships because the LVCVA negotiated directly with player representatives for the deals. 

“I’m going to put it to you real simple like this: Most of sponsorship people go after the top two people,” Hammon said, referring to A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. “In this situation, from what I understand, is they wanted the whole team. … I don’t know the details. I have nothing to do with it; the Aces don’t have anything to do with it. It’s just odd, but that’s basically what happened.”

The $100,000 sponsorship is more than six players’ salaries, including rookie Kate Martin, who makes $67,249. It’s no small change to players such as Plum or Wilson, who make $200,000 as the team’s highest-paid players and are adding half their salary to their income. While the endorsement does not violate the league’s salary cap, according to ESPN, because the LVCVA didn’t involve the Aces, the league’s investigation stems from the possibility that it could give the Aces an undue advantage in free agency.

Wilson said she viewed the sponsorship as a byproduct of growing the game. 

“When we’re talking about growing the game … taking that next step, it can’t always be ‘investigate, investigate, investigate,’” Wilson said Saturday. “It has to be like, ‘We’re trying to move the needle. We’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players, for teams.’”

As part of the investigation into how the team treated Hamby, the Aces also lost a 2025 first-round draft pick.

Despite the investigation, the Aces still repeated as WNBA champions. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
breaking

California AG Says Daily Fantasy Sports Are Illegal

The AG rejected arguments that DFS are games of skill, not chance.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Put on Paid Leave Amid MLB Probe

Reports say the investigation is tied to gambling.
Mike Crapo

Trump Bill’s Tax Hike on Gamblers Was Authored by Sen. Mike Crapo

Crapo’s office did not respond to several messages seeking comment.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Michael Johnson

Grand Slam Track Still Owes Athletes $13 Million: Source

The new track league hasn’t paid athletes in full yet.
Sophie Cunningham
July 2, 2025

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.
July 2, 2025

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
exclusive
July 2, 2025

PGA Tour Slashes FedEx Cup Winner Pay From $25M to $10M

The FedExCup is reworking how it distributes its bonus money.
Red Panda
July 2, 2025

Red Panda Hospitalized After WNBA Halftime Fall

The beloved performer was taken off the court in a wheelchair.
July 1, 2025

WNBA Roster Limits Under Fire After Vanloo’s Valkyries Release

Kaitlyn Chen remains on the Valkyries roster.
July 1, 2025

LIV Golf CEO Pushes Back On PGA Tour Merger

Scott O’Neil said there could be new opportunities for the Tour’s players.