An employee has been dismissed from Hilton Grand Vacations following allegations of sending a racist message to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray. The company confirmed the termination to Front Office Sports on Tuesday, stating that the individual’s actions violated company policies and do not align with their values.
The incident came to light after Gray shared a screenshot on her Instagram story Monday night. The image displayed a direct message containing a racial slur. Gray’s post included a statement, “People act like we make this s*** up. And the audacity to tell us as athletes to ‘shut up and dribble.’”
Social media users who saw Gray’s post investigated the sender’s profile. They reportedly identified the individual through a picture on their story, which showed them wearing a Hilton Grand Vacations name tag. The company was also tagged multiple times in the profile, leading to the identification of the alleged sender.
Company Response and Investigation
Initially, Hilton Grand Vacations announced on Tuesday that it was investigating the matter. The company’s statement at the time indicated that the described behavior would be a violation of multiple company policies and did not reflect their values. They emphasized taking such concerns seriously and promised appropriate action based on their review findings.
The company later confirmed the employee’s termination, reiterating that the individual’s behavior was a breach of company policies. This swift action followed the public disclosure of the alleged racist message and the subsequent identification of the sender.
The incident involving Gray occurred on Sunday, following the Aces‘ game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The Fever secured a 109-75 victory in that match, with Clark contributing 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Clark was working to return to a full-time role after a back injury on June 24.
Broader Context of Player Safety and Online Abuse
This event is part of a larger discussion surrounding player safety and online abuse within the WNBA. Just two weeks prior, Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas spoke out about receiving death threats and abuse on social media. These threats followed an altercation during a game between the Fever and Mercury on June 24, where Thomas was involved in an incident with Clark.
Thomas highlighted the ongoing concerns about player safety, stating, “The biggest thing is, it’s just about our safety. We’re so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again we’re having people threatening our lives.” She urged the league to take a stronger stance, noting that players frequently experience such abuse while the league remains silent.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a statement after Thomas’s initial comments, condemning all forms of hate and reaffirming the league’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its community. Engelbert acknowledged Thomas’s experiences as unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community, confirming that the league and its security team were in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization to protect all players.
The broader tension among WNBA fans and players has also involved discussions about Clark’s presence in the league. Thomas and her teammates previously reported receiving racial insults and threats after the incident with Clark. Additionally, 11 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Commissioner Engelbert, expressing concerns about alleged racially motivated hostility and physical aggression directed at Clark, suggesting that the league and its officiating had not adequately addressed these incidents.
The letter detailed instances where Clark was reportedly hip-checked, poked in the eye, and struck in the throat during games, describing these as beyond routine physical play. Amidst these discussions, Commissioner Engelbert reportedly canceled an interview on “The Dan Patrick Show” last week, a decision that Dan Patrick attributed to guidance from the league’s public relations team.
The dismissal of the employee by Hilton Grand Vacations underscores the ongoing efforts to address and mitigate online abuse targeting athletes.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
