LAS VEGAS, NV.— Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas announced today that the team is restructuring its front office, and will not be renewing the contract of General Manager Natalie Williams.
“We are incredibly grateful for Natalie’s invaluable efforts in helping build the Aces into the premier franchise in the WNBA,” said Fargas. “Her time with the organization extends back to the league’s formative years in Utah, and she will forever be a part of our history, having left an indelible mark as both a player and an executive. We wish the best for Natalie and her family.”
The Aces hired Williams as the team’s general manager in April 2022, and her leadership returned immediate dividends as the team went on to win back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023.
“It has been a joy and honor to serve as General Manager of the Las Vegas Aces,” said Williams. “Winning two WNBA Championships with this incredible group of players and staff has been a dream come true. I want to thank Mark Davis and the Aces Organization for the incredible opportunity to help lead this franchise. I love the WNBA, and it has been wonderful watching the growth of the game. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Williams’ tenure included some challenges, notably the ongoing lawsuit from former player Dearica Hamby and a league-directed investigation concerning potential salary-cap circumvention.
The incoming general manager will take over a team with most of its core players remaining, including reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. However, Kelsey Plum, an important pending free agent, will require attention. Additionally, the forthcoming expansion draft may impact the Aces’ roster decisions.
The WNBA has engaged an external law firm to investigate potential circumvention of the salary cap by the Las Vegas Aces. This inquiry follows the announcement from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on May 18, which disclosed that it offered $100,000 annual sponsorship deals to players for the current season and for 2025.
Williams, 53, had a distinguished seven-year career in the WNBA, where she was a four-time All-Star with the Utah Starzz and Indiana Fever. A two-sport All-American in basketball and volleyball at UCLA, Williams was also a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team in 2000 and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
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