Las Vegas fires general manager Natalie Williams of two-time WNBA champion Aces

The Las Vegas Aces announced Saturday they will not renew nan statement of wide head Natalie Williams

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Aces, whose two-time title tally ended successful a semifinals nonaccomplishment to nan New York Liberty, fired wide head Natalie Williams connected Saturday.

Williams was hired successful 2022 arsenic portion of a caller authorities that included Becky Hammon arsenic coach. The Aces won titles successful 2022 and 2023 to go nan first WNBA squad to declare back-to-back championships since nan Los Angeles Sparks successful 2001-02.

However, nan squad president announced her statement will not beryllium renewed arsenic portion of a “restructuring” of nan beforehand office.

Her tenure wasn’t without controversy. The Aces are being sued by former subordinate Dearica Hamby and are nether a league-directed investigation regarding imaginable salary-cap circumvention.

“We are incredibly grateful for Natalie’s invaluable efforts successful helping build nan Aces into nan premier franchise successful nan WNBA,” Aces President Nikki Fargas said successful a statement. “Her clip pinch nan statement extends backmost to nan league’s formative years successful Utah, and she will everlastingly beryllium a portion of our history, having near an indelible people arsenic some a subordinate and an executive. We wish nan champion for Natalie and her family.”

The 53-year-old Williams was a four-time All-Star during a seven-year WNBA profession pinch nan Utah Starzz and Indiana Fever. A two-sport jock successful hoops and volleyball astatine UCLA, Williams won a golden badge pinch nan U.S. women’s hoops squad astatine nan 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The Aces hoped to go nan first squad since nan Houston Comets successful 1997-2000 to triumph astatine slightest 3 consecutive titles, but mislaid successful 4 games to nan eventual champion Liberty.

The adjacent wide head will inherit a squad pinch astir of its halfway players intact, including reigning MVP A'ja Wilson. However, Kelsey Plum is simply a cardinal pending free agent. The Aces besides could beryllium affected by nan upcoming description draft.

“It has been a joyousness and grant to service arsenic General Manager of nan Las Vegas Aces,” Williams said successful a statement. “Winning 2 WNBA Championships pinch this unthinkable group of players and unit has been a dream travel true. I want to convey (owner) Mark Davis and nan Aces Organization for nan unthinkable opportunity to thief lead this franchise. I emotion nan WNBA, and it has been awesome watching nan maturation of nan game. I’m looking guardant to what lies ahead.”

Hamby, an All-Star for Los Angeles, revenge a national suit successful August that alleges favoritism and retaliation for becoming pregnant, which resulted successful a waste and acquisition to nan Sparks. The WNBA and Aces filed motions past month to disregard nan suit.

Hammon said successful May 2023 that Hamby was traded for strategical reasons, namely putting nan squad successful position to motion prima Candace Parker.

The WNBA investigated nan matter and suspended Hammon for 2 games without salary successful May 2023. The Aces were docked their first-round 2025 draught prime for providing impermissible subordinate benefits involving Hamby.

Also, nan WNBA hired an extracurricular rule patient to analyse whether nan Aces circumvented nan net cap erstwhile nan Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announced May 18 it made $100,000 yearly sponsorship offers to players this play and successful 2025.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball