Overview
- Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray posted a screenshot of a direct message that included a racial slur after the team’s July 12 loss to the Indiana Fever, drawing public attention when she shared the image on Instagram.
- Social media users traced the sender to a Hilton Grand Vacations employee by matching the account details and a name tag in photos, prompting the company to open an investigation and then confirm the individual is no longer employed.
- Hilton Grand Vacations said the behavior violated company policies and does not reflect its values, and the Aces publicly condemned the abuse while the WNBA has been notified and contacted team security.
- Reporters and screenshots showed the sender’s profile referenced sports betting, a detail observers linked to a broader pattern of betting‑related harassment that has targeted WNBA players in recent weeks.
- Players, the players’ union and advocates say the episode underscores ongoing online threats and raise pressure on the league to expand tech, security and anti‑hate measures to better protect athletes.