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The Las Vegas Aces and the WNBA are showing support for Olympian Chelsea Gray after she received a racist message from a fan following an Indiana Fever game.

The league’s message comes days after a dozen members of Congress sent a letter to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert requesting direct responses to questions about how the league is protecting its players from “racially motivated” attacks.

Man Fired After Allegedly Sending A Deeply Racist Message To Las Vegas Aces Star Chelsea Gray

According to ESPN, a man who was employed by Hilton Grand Vacations was fired after allegedly sending Gray a racist message following the Aces’ 109-75 loss against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

“The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company,” the company said in a statement. “His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company’s values in any way.”

The message, which Gray shared on her social media accounts, had a racial slur in it. “People act like we just make this s— up,” Gray captioned the post. “And the audacity to tell us as athletes to ‘shut up and dribble.'”

The Las Vegas Aces Show Support To Chelsea Gray Following Racist Message

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It didn’t take long for the Aces to share a message of support for one of their star players. “The Aces organization unequivocally condemns the hateful and racist messages recently directed at Chelsea Gray,” the statement read.

“We do not tolerate hate speech of any type, whether it’s online, in the arena, or anywhere within our community. We stand behind those who have the courage to speak up for themselves. We are united with anyone who has been targeted by this type of unacceptable behavior. We stand with organizations, like Hilton Grand Vacations, that hold individuals accountable for racist conduct. We commend them for the swift manner in which they acted in addressing this matter. No athlete should ever face this type of abuse for playing the game they love,” the message continued.

The WNBA Posts Its Own Message Of Support For Gray

Like the Aces, the WNBA released a statement of its own, offering support to Gray and denouncing racist, problematic behavior.

“The WNBA fully supports the Las Vegas Aces’ statement and stands with Chelsea and every member of our league. We unequivocally condemn racism and all forms of hate. There is no place for this behavior in sports or anywhere, and we remain committed to protecting the players and fostering an environment built on respect and inclusion,” the statement read.

Congress Has Its Eyes On The WNBA Following An Incident With Caitlin Clark

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This isn’t the first time the WNBA has been at the center of conversations about racist language directed toward its players.

According to a previous report from The Blast, the league opened an investigation last year after Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky were allegedly subjected to racist chants from fans inside Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms,” the league wrote in a statement. “They have no place in our league or in society.”

Extra eyes have already been on the league over the past few weeks after a dozen members of Congress wrote to Commissioner Engelbert over what they said are “racially motivated” attacks against players, specifically Clark.

“As Commissioner, you have an obligation to ensure that every player competes in a safe and professional environment, both on and off the court, free from violence, discrimination, or retaliation,” the letter said. “If discrimination or retaliation is occurring and creating a hostile work environment, we support any appropriate investigation by the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If true, such conduct could constitute violations of federal civil rights laws.”

Congress Asks The WNBA To Respond To Three Essential Questions

The letter came weeks after Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas received a Flagrant 2 foul and a one-game suspension after putting her first in Clark’s neck during a contest.

The 12 Republican Congress members asked the league to respond to its letter no later than July 24th with detailed answers to questions about how the WNBA reviews “physical hostility and violence on the court,” responds to players who display “overly aggressive acts” during games, and how the league is protecting players from online attacks.

The WNBA Echoes Aces’ Statement Of Support For Chelsea Gray Following Alleged Racist Message first appeared on The Blast