WNBA Launches Deep Investigation into Las Vegas Aces Over Under‑the‑Table Payments and Sponsorship Deals

1. A Dynasty Under Scrutiny

The Las Vegas Aces, back‑to‑back WNBA champions under owner Mark Davis (also owner of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders), are now the focus of a league investigation. Sources confirm the probe centers on allegations of secret offerings and sponsorship arrangements bypassing standard salary‑cap rules Swish Appeal+15AP News+15CBSSports.com+15CBS News+4ESPN.com+4Wall Street Journal+4.

This is the second significant inquiry into the franchise: in 2023, head coach Becky Hammon was suspended for two games and the team lost its 2025 first‑round pick due to violations involving alleged mistreatment and impermissible player benefits surrounding player Dearica Hamby Sports Business Journal+13The Washington Post+13Las Vegas Review-Journal+13.

2. The Allegations: Hidden Offers and Sponsorship Manipulation

At the heart of the investigation are two interrelated allegations:

a) Under‑the‑Table Payments

According to reporting from The Next and confirmed to ESPN, the Aces are accused of using third‑party intermediaries to deliver cash offers—outside standard contracts—to both prospective free agents and current players. Allegedly, agents received calls after initial contract negotiations offering financial incentives via a preselected company, in exchange for minimal “work” CBSSports.com+3ESPN.com+3Reddit+3.

Such arrangements would clearly violate Article XV of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which prohibits third‑party compensation tied to basketball services and guards against artificially depressed base salaries in official contracts Wall Street Journal+15CBSSports.com+15CBSSports.com+15.

b) $100,000 Sponsorship Deals

Another focus is a $1.2 million sponsorship package from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), offering each Aces player $100,000 annually over two seasons. While technically not part of team payroll and thus not breaching salary cap limits, questions have arisen about whether the practice circumvents the spirit of the rules by providing team players with outsized benefits unsupported by legitimate services Reddit+15The Washington Post+15theguardian.com+15.

Aces coach Hammon claimed the team had no involvement, stating the deals were coordinated directly with players’ agents—akin to NIL agreements in college sports CBSSports.com+4The Washington Post+4CBSSports.com+4.

3. Mark Davis Speaks—But Denies Any Wrongdoing

Mark Davis, while representing the Raiders at an NFL owners meeting, addressed the ongoing inquiry, insisting the WNBA would find “absolutely nothing wrong”. He criticized the use of the word “investigation” and warned it could discourage future sponsorships in Las Vegas and beyond CBSSports.com.

Davis emphasized his goal is to pay players more and keep them stateside—suggesting third‑party deals like the LVCVA’s are vital to offset limitations in team salaries under the current CBA CBSSports.com.

Notably, he contrasted LVCVA’s actions with corporate sponsorships by equity investors like Nike, which reportedly pays player Caitlin Clark over $28 million—posing broader questions about consistency and fairness in enforcement CBSSports.com.

4. The WNBA Response

A WNBA spokesperson confirmed the probe into both alleged salary‑cap circumvention and improper player benefits, including Hamby’s earlier claims of bullying and contract manipulation while pregnant Reddit+2The Washington Post+2The Washington Post+2.

League sources affirm it has engaged an independent legal firm to review relevant documents and interview witnesses, including inquiries into LVCVA’s sponsorship campaign and internal communications Reddit.

The league’s penalties for confirmed CBA violations could include fines up to $1 million, voiding individual player contracts, vacating draft picks, and suspending personnel—including the possibility of banning players from postseason or voiding trades The Washington Post.

5. Dearica Hamby’s Lawsuit Casts Deeper Shadows

The investigation traces back to allegations from former Aces star Dearica Hamby, who filed a pregnancy‑discrimination lawsuit after being traded in early 2023. Hamby accused the organization of pressuring her over motherhood, retracting promised benefits, and being traded soon after announcing her pregnancy—even though she signed a contract extension just weeks prior Las Vegas Review-Journal+10SBNation.com+10Swish Appeal+10.

Despite league intervention in 2023 that led to Coach Hammon’s suspension and draft pick loss, Hamby believes the response was inadequate—prompting a federal lawsuit seeking reparations and broader legal accountability Swish AppealSBNation.com.

6. Players React: Navigating Gratitude vs. Integrity

Among current players, reactions vary. A’ja Wilson, star forward, acknowledged the sponsorship’s benefit—especially in helping close pay disparities in women’s basketball—but emphasized that integrity comes first:
“There’s always going to be something… we’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players, for teams.” CBS News+1theguardian.com+1.

Several players expressed gratitude for the financial support, especially rookies and mid-tier players earning below six figures. Yet many across the league worry that such practices could set an uneven playing field far beyond Las Vegas CBS NewsFanSided.

7. Historical Perspective: Liberty’s Charter Fine Set Precedent

A similar episode occurred in 2021 when the New York Liberty were fined $500,000 by the league for unauthorized charter flights—an action Wong from league rules—highlighting how non-monetary benefits can carry significant penalties when bypassing protocols Wall Street Journal.

That case served as a precedent for WNBA teams’ responsibility to avoid financial or logistical advantages that violate either salary limits or competitive fairness.

8. What’s at Stake: League Credibility and Equity

The WNBA has recently increased its players’ share of revenue from under 23% to roughly 50%—a major step toward pay equity. However, scandals like this threaten to overshadow progress and undermine perceptions of fairness across franchises CBS News.

With growing viewership, rising salaries, and calls for athlete empowerment, teams operating in wealthy markets—like Las Vegas—face heightened expectations to comply with both the letter and spirit of the CBA.

9. Possible Outcomes and Impacts

Depending on the league’s findings, potential outcomes could include:

Heavy fines for both team and involved front-office staff

Loss of draft picks

Individual suspensions, including player contract voiding

Broader structural reforms especially around sponsorship transparency

Risk of deterring third-party funding, which at times supports player livelihoods in a low‑pay league

The handling of this case could set a precedent for acceptable sponsorship models and how the WNBA balances financial innovation with competitive integrity.

10. Conclusion: The Aces’ Rise Now Confronts Accountability

The Las Vegas Aces, under Davis and Hammon, built their dynasty through bold moves: bringing in two-time MVP Candace Parker, defensive stalwart Alysha Clark, and securing international talents to complement MVP A’ja Wilson and star guard Chelsea Gray Reddit+4Swish Appeal+4ESPN.com+4.

But as they chase a potential three-peat, their off-court dominance is now entwined with scrutiny. The allegations raise uncomfortable questions:

Can championships be separated from rule-breaking?

Should wealthy markets gain an edge via hidden financial leverage?

How airtight is the WNBA’s enforcement arm?

As the league’s investigation unfolds, the outcome could redefine financial practices across women’s professional sports—and clarify just how far ambition can go in a league striving to remain fair, transparent, and credible.