Hilton Grand Vacations fired an employee who sent a racist slur to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray via Instagram after the team’s 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever on July 12, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The message was sent shortly after the game, and Gray publicly exposed the racist message the next day by posting a screenshot including the sender’s username and photo on July 13 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Hilton Grand Vacations said the employee’s "behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company’s values in any way" and confirmed the employee was no longer with the company [1, 2, 4, 5]. Gray reacted to the harassment saying, "People act like we just make this s--- up. And the audacity to tell us as athletes to 'shut up and dribble'" [2].
The 109-75 defeat for the Las Vegas Aces came against the Indiana Fever, a loss that was followed by the incident [1, 2, 3, 4]. This abuse is part of a troubling pattern in the WNBA. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas experienced racial slurs and death threats last month after her suspension related to an on-court incident involving Iowa’s Caitlin Clark [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Thomas said, "It’s really unacceptable. It’s something that needs to change in this league and I’m just really sick and tired of it" [1].
Eleven Republican lawmakers wrote to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in July raising concerns over what they called "racially motivated hostility" directed at Clark, citing several physical incidents during games that they said went unaddressed by the league’s officiating [3, 4]. The lawmakers stated, "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" [4].
The WNBA and players’ union recently reached a collective bargaining agreement that enhances security, technological support, mental health resources, and anti-hate measures for players, aiming to address online harassment and player safety concerns [1]. However, social media hate remains a complex challenge for the league and its athletes [5].
Hilton Grand Vacations took definitive action by firing the employee responsible on July 14, 2026 [2, 4, 5]. The league and players will continue working within the new agreement framework to defend players from racial harassment and related threats.
