HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces, whose dual championship run ended with a semi-final loss to New York Libertyfired general manager Natalie Williams on Saturday.
Williams was hired in 2022 as part of a new regime that included Becky Hammon as coach. The Aces won titles in 2022 and 2023 to become the first WNBA team to win back-to-back championships since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02.
However, the team president announced that her contract would not be renewed as part of a “restructuring” of the front office.
His tenure was not without controversy. The Aces are continued by the former Dearica Hamby and are the subject of a league-led investigation regarding possible salary cap circumvention.
“We are extremely grateful for Natalie’s invaluable efforts in helping build the Aces into the premier franchise in the WNBA,” Aces President Nikki Fargas said in a statement. “Her time with the organization dates back to the formative years of the league in Utah, and she will forever be a part of our history, having left an indelible mark both as a player and executive. We wish Natalie and her family the best.
Williams, 53, was a four-time All-Star during a seven-year WNBA career with the Utah Starzz and the Indiana Fever. A two-sport athlete in basketball and volleyball at UCLA, Williams won a gold medal with the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The Aces hoped to become the first team since the 1997-2000 Houston Comets to win at least three consecutive titles, but lost in four games to the future Liberty champion.
The next general manager will inherit a team with most of its key players intact, including reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. However, Kelsey Plum is a key pending free agent. The Aces could also be affected by the upcoming expansion draft.
“It has been a joy and honor to serve as general manager of the Las Vegas Aces,” Williams said in a statement. “Winning two WNBA championships with this incredible group of players and staff has been a dream come true. I want to thank (owner) Mark Davis and the Aces organization for the incredible opportunity to help lead this franchise. I love the WNBA and it has been wonderful to watch the growth of the game. I look forward to what lies ahead.
Hamby, a Los Angeles All-Star, filed a federal lawsuit in August alleging discrimination and retaliation for becoming pregnant, which resulted in a trade to the Sparks. The WNBA and the Aces filed requests last month to dismiss the lawsuit.
Hammon said in May 2023 that Hamby was traded for strategic reasons, namely putting the team in a position to draft star Candace Parker.
The WNBA investigated the matter and suspended Hammon for two games without pay in May 2023. The Aces were stripped of their 2025 first-round draft pick for providing unauthorized player benefits involving Hamby.
Additionally, the WNBA hired an outside law firm to determine whether the Aces bypassed the salary cap when the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announced on May 18 that it had made $100,000 Annual Sponsorship Offers to players this season and in 2025.
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