Hilton Grand Vacations has terminated an employee after the individual allegedly sent a racist direct message to WNBA star Chelsea Gray on Instagram.
Gray shared a screenshot on social media showing an Instagram DM in which she was called a racial slur. The post quickly gained widespread attention, drawing condemnation from fans and fellow athletes.
In a statement provided to Front Office Sports, Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed that the employee responsible for the message is no longer employed by the company.
“The individual is no longer employed by Hilton Grand Vacations,” the company said, according to Front Office Sports.
The incident is the latest example of professional athletes facing racist abuse on social media. In recent years, leagues including the WNBA, NBA, NFL, and FIFA have continued to call for stronger measures to combat online harassment and hate speech directed at players.
Gray, one of the WNBA’s premier guards, has been a cornerstone for the Las Vegas Aces and is widely regarded as one of the league’s top playmakers. While she has not publicly commented beyond sharing the screenshot, the incident has sparked renewed conversations about athlete safety and accountability on social media platforms.
Hilton Grand Vacations acted swiftly following the public disclosure, distancing the company from the employee’s actions by confirming the individual’s termination.
As conversations surrounding online abuse continue, many athletes and advocacy groups are pushing for stronger enforcement from social media companies and greater accountability for users who engage in racist or discriminatory behavior.
