Employee fired after racist message sent to WNBA star Dearica Hamby
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Acclaro Medical confirmed the employee was no longer with the company after the message sparked an online search for the sender.
A racist message sent to Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has resulted in the termination of an Acclaro Medical employee after the sender was identified through information shared online.
The incident began Aug. 24, when Hamby posted a screenshot on X of a message she said had been sent to her personal phone number. The message contained a racial slur, compared the WNBA star to an animal and included a monkey emoji. Hamby also shared the number associated with the message and asked her followers if they recognized it.
The post quickly triggered an online search for the sender. Social media users traced the number to a person believed to work for Acclaro Medical and alerted the company.
Acclaro initially confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Aug. 25 that the employee had been suspended while an investigation was underway. A week later, the company confirmed that the person was no longer employed.
USA TODAY’s Sept. 2 report provides the latest development in the case, while Acclaro has maintained that the conduct did not represent its standards. The medical equipment company said it condemns racism, harassment, hate speech and discrimination.
The WNBA has also taken a firm position. In a Sept. 2 statement, the league said it “stands unequivocally with Dearica Hamby” and condemned the abuse directed at her. The league added that the individual would be permanently banned from WNBA games and events.
The episode is part of a broader problem confronting the league as players continue to report racist abuse, threats and harassment online.
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray faced a similar situation in July after receiving racist messages. Her case also resulted in the sender losing their job after the person’s employer became aware of the abuse.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has separately spoken about receiving racial slurs and death threats following an on-court incident earlier this season. Her comments prompted renewed calls for stronger protections for players beyond the basketball court.
For Hamby, the latest development brings accountability after a message that had been sent privately became public. It also underscores how quickly online harassment can move from a social-media post into real-world consequences for those responsible.