Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed on Tuesday the termination of an employee who allegedly directed a racial insult at Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray.
In a statement, Hilton Grand Vacations stated, "The individual responsible for this communication is no longer employed by the company." The company added that "His conduct was in violation of multiple company policies and does not align with our company's values in any respect."
Gray had previously shared a screenshot on Instagram of an alleged direct message she reportedly received following her team's recent game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Sunday.
The screenshot displayed what appeared to be a racial slur aimed at Gray, along with the sender's profile name and photo.
"People act like we just make this s--- up. And the audacity to tell us as athletes to 'shut up and dribble,'" Gray wrote in her post accompanying the screenshot.
Context of Recent WNBA Games and Tensions
The game in question saw the Indiana Fever defeat the Aces with a final score of 109-75. Clark contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the contest. The Fever guard has been progressively returning to a full-time role after sustaining a back injury on June 24.
This incident and the subsequent company action unfold amidst heightened tensions among WNBA fans and players. These tensions were notably amplified following an event on June 24, when Alyssa Thomas reportedly struck Clark in the throat during a game between the Fever and the Phoenix Mercury.
The physical encounter and the ensuing public dialogue have reignited intense debates, particularly concerning racial dynamics surrounding Clark's prominent position in the WNBA. Both Thomas and her teammates have previously reported receiving racial insults and threats in the aftermath of the throat strike incident.
Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Player Treatment
Last week, a group of 11 Republican lawmakers addressed a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The letter expressed concerns that Clark is facing racially motivated hostility and suggested that the "physical hostility" and "violence" she encounters on the court might also be racially motivated.
"Clark has been hip-checked, poked in the eye, and struck in the throat during games. These incidents go far beyond routine physical play, yet the WNBA and its officiating have too often failed to address these unacceptable incidents and hold players accountable," the lawmakers' letter asserted.
According to claims made by Dan Patrick on his show last Friday, Commissioner Engelbert purportedly canceled an interview on "The Dan Patrick Show" late last week, reportedly due to guidance from the league's public relations team.