A new WNBA rule changes how teams handle trades.

The WNBA will continue its season without delay after league officials and the players’ union agreed to a new deal earlier this week. This agreement prevents a shutdown and keeps the 2026 season on schedule.

Most parts of the deal focus on money and player benefits. But one rule has caught a lot of attention. The league added a new clause allowing teams to trade pregnant players. This change comes after past controversy and aims to better protect players during an important time in their lives.

The new rule states that “teams must get player consent before trading a pregnant player.” It marks a rare provision in professional sports and reflects the league’s evolving priorities around player welfare.

New Clause Shaped By Dearica Hamby Case

; Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (Photo By Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
The new rule comes after a well-known situation involving Dearica Hamby. In 2023, the Las Vegas Aces traded her to the Los Angeles Sparks while she was pregnant. Hamby later said the team questioned her commitment and treated her unfairly after she shared the news.

The WNBA investigated the case and found violations of the rules. The league suspended head coach Becky Hammon and took away a draft pick from the team. Hamby filed a discrimination lawsuit in 2024, but both sides later agreed to drop it. Still, she stood by her claims.

Now, the new rule gives players more control. A pregnant player can refuse any trade. This helps reduce stress and avoid issues with medical care during pregnancy.

The deal also helps financially. Teams can pay a pregnant player her full salary without it affecting the salary cap. This allows teams to support players without hurting their roster.

The league also added more family support. While full details are not yet available, the changes indicate a push to make the league more family-friendly.

Napheesa Collier has supported similar ideas before, including childcare support in her Unrivaled league. She said it was very important. Meanwhile, Shakira Austin had earlier raised concerns about limited medical support.

The new agreement also increases life insurance from $100,000 to $700,000 and improves access to medical and mental health services.

Overall, these changes show that the WNBA is placing greater emphasis on player health, family life, and long-term support.

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup.

Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw.

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, in December after 10 years of marriage.

She has since made swipes at Jesse and moved on with TV director Elliot Hegarty, with the pair having been seen kissing during a recent night out.

Fearne has had a difficult few months after undergoing surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jawline, just days before her split with Jesse emerged.

She told host Lorraine: ‘It’s all very amicable and kids are doing great. I am in a very good place.’place.’

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)

Discussing her recent surgery, she added: ‘I feel very grateful to have completely recovered.

‘I feel really good. I have a lot of people reaching out who have had the same thing.’

Davina McCall, 56, announced in November she’d been diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumour, and has supported Fearne.

She continued: ‘Everyone needs a Davina. She’s been amazing, weird that we had the same health thing going on at the same time. She’s so calming and we speak every day. She is just the best

It comes after Fearne has seemingly made another thinly-veiled dig at her ex-husband as she gushed that she is the happiest she’s ever been in a positive update.

Speaking to Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Fearne gushed that she is ‘really happy’ and is ‘springing out of bed in the morning ready for life’.

Scott, who has known Fearne for 25 years, said he has never seen her ‘more positive or happier’, prompting Fearne to agree and reply: ‘Yeah I feel great!’

She told how her health scare has changed her outlook and said she has been seeking comfort from Davina.

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Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw