Hilton Grand Vacations has terminated an employee who sent a racial slur to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray via social media following the team's 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday. The 33-year-old Gray posted the offensive message on her Instagram story on Monday, writing, "People act like we just make this shit up. And the audacity to tell us as athletes to 'shut up and dribble.'"
Company Response and Policy Violation
Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed the employee's dismissal, stating, "The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company. His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company's values in any way." The Las Vegas Aces did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Broader Context of Harassment in the WNBA
The incident follows a pattern of abuse targeting WNBA players. In March, the WNBA and its players' union agreed on a transformative collective bargaining agreement that aimed to enhance security, improve technological support, reinforce mental health resources, enforce a stronger fan code of conduct, and protect players through an anti-hate campaign. Despite these measures, harassment persists.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas recently revealed she received racial slurs and death threats after a one-game suspension for making contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark's throat during a 111-109 win against the Fever. Thomas criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for insufficient player protection, stating, "It's unfortunate that it's come to this over basketball. A lot of us – myself included – didn't even know the play took place until after the game. Now we're being painted as thugs. There's death threats out on us. It's really unacceptable. It's something that needs to change in this league and I'm just really sick and tired of it."
Impact on Players and League Response
The repeated incidents highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring player safety and respect. The WNBA's anti-hate campaign and enhanced security protocols aim to address these issues, but players continue to face online abuse. Gray's public sharing of the message underscores the reality that athletes endure such treatment, and Hilton's swift action reflects corporate accountability.
