Hilton Grand Vacations dismisses employee following racist abuse of WNBA player Chelsea Gray

Hilton Grand Vacations has terminated the employment of a staff member who directed a racist message at Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray. The dismissal was confirmed on Tuesday by Front Office Sports, with the company stating that the individual is no longer with the organisation and that his conduct breached multiple internal policies.

The incident came to light shortly after the Aces suffered a 109-75 defeat to the Indiana Fever on Sunday. Gray posted a screenshot of the direct message on her Instagram story, which included the sender’s username and photograph, allowing for immediate identification. The message contained a racial slur and a statement telling the player she "sucks".

In a statement provided to reporters, Hilton Grand Vacations emphasised that the employee’s behaviour did not reflect the company’s values. "The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company," the statement read, adding that the actions were a clear violation of corporate policy.

Gray used the platform to highlight the broader pressures faced by athletes, referencing the historical demand for players to remain silent. "People act like we just make this shit up," she wrote, while also critiquing the notion that athletes should simply "shut up and dribble". The sender’s Instagram profile, which previously listed "sports betting" in his bio, has since been deleted.

The WNBA has acknowledged the incident and is in contact with the Aces’ security team. This event follows a period of heightened scrutiny regarding online harassment in the league, including recent death threats and racial slurs directed at Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. League officials, including Fever coach Stephanie White, have previously condemned the toxicity and racism directed at players and their families.