Hilton Grand Vacations Fires Employee After Racial Slur Sent to WNBA Player Chelsea Gray

Hilton Grand Vacations has terminated an employee who sent a racial slur via social media to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray. This incident occurred after the team’s 109-75 defeat to the Indiana Fever last Sunday.

Gray, age 33, shared the offensive message with her followers on Instagram. In her post, she highlighted the ongoing adversity athletes face, stating, “People act like we just make this up” and criticizing those who tell athletes to “shut up and dribble.”

In a statement released Tuesday, Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed the decision to fire the employee. The company stated, “The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company. His behavior violated multiple company policies and does not reflect our company’s values in any way.”

The Las Vegas Aces have not yet commented on the situation. Meanwhile, Gray expressed gratitude for the support she received through various messages and posts on Instagram.

In other related news, recent incidents of harassment within the WNBA highlight a wider issue. Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams reported receiving hateful messages linked to a lost prop bet. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas experienced racial slurs and death threats after an on-court altercation with Caitlin Clark during a game against the Fever.

Thomas criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for insufficiently addressing player protection. Speaking in June at the team’s practice facility, she expressed her frustration, stating, “It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball.” Thomas voiced concerns about players being unfairly labeled and the severity of the threats they face. “It’s unacceptable,” she declared.

Both Caitlin Clark and Fever coach Stephanie White condemned the hate messages directed at Thomas. White addressed the broader atmosphere, acknowledging pervasive issues of toxicity, racism, and homophobia within the league.