Hilton Grand Vacations has terminated an employee after the individual allegedly sent racist abuse to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray. The abuse followed an on-court incident between Gray and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during a game on Sunday.
Gray, 33, shared screenshots of the messages on her Instagram story Monday, decrying the online hate. Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed to the Associated Press that the employee responsible for the posts is no longer with the company, stating the behavior violated company policies and did not align with their values.
The incident occurred during the second quarter of the Fever's 109-75 victory. As Gray attempted to take a shot, she appeared to elbow Clark in the midriff while defending. Clark fell to the floor in apparent pain, leading to a review by referees for a potential "hostile act." The play was ultimately ruled a common foul.
This is not the first time a WNBA player has faced similar online abuse following an interaction with Clark. Last month, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas received racist messages and threats after a separate on-court play involving Clark. Thomas, who is Black, publicly stated that her family and children were being threatened and criticized the WNBA for its silence on the matter.
Thomas called for the league to "do better" and expressed disappointment that league commissioner Cathy Engelbert had not publicly addressed the incidents of online abuse directed at players.