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One day after Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby shared a racist text message she received, the person allegedly responsible for the online vitriol has been suspended by their employer.
Rhode Island-based Acclaro Medical confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, Aug. 25, an employee of the company has been “suspended while an investigation is being conducted.” In a statement shared on social media, the company added “it condemns racism, harassment, hate speech and discriminating behavior in all forms” and the recent online remarks “do not in any way reflect the values and standards of the Company.”
The incident began the morning of Aug. 24 when Hamby shared a screenshot of a text message she said she received from an unknown number, in which someone directed a racial slur and called her an animal. Hamby included the number in the screenshot and asked her nearly 50,000 X followers: “Anyone know this number?”
Internet sleuths sprang into action and quickly identified the sender by reverse-searching the phone number. Social media users then alerted the person’s employer, prompting Acclaro Medical to open an investigation.
“Acclaro Medical is aware of the deeply disturbing situation on social media,” the company said in a statement shared with USA TODAY Sports. “… Acclaro Medical sympathizes with everyone who has been affected by this situation. The Company takes his matter extremely seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation.”
It’s not clear how the person responsible for the message acquired Hamby’s personal phone number.
USA TODAY Sports reached out to the Sparks and WNBA for comment.
Hamby is the latest WNBA player to come forward about racial abuse, reigniting commentary around race and player safety around the league. The level of hate speech and vitriol directed at players, primarily on social media, has become an issue addressed by the league and its players.
In July, Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray said she hopes “people will think twice now” before spreading hate after a Hilton Grand Vacations employee was terminated for directing a racial slur towards Gray online.
“The hate directed at me and so many other Black athletes is one of the many ways systemic racism shows up in our lives,” Gray wrote in a social media post at the time. “But as athletes, there is real power in calling it out and naming it, and we have a real opportunity to create change collectively when we do so.”
After Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension for “recklessly” making contact with Caitlin Clark’s throat during the Phoenix Mercury’s 111-109 win over the Indiana Fever on June 24, Thomas said she was on the receiving end of death threats, racial slurs and online abuse.
“I think the biggest thing is it’s just about our safety. We’re so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again, we’re having people threatening our lives,” Thomas said on June 30. “At some point the league needs to (take) a stand on it. … I’m sick and tired of it and it’s time for (the league) to step up and have our backs.”
Following Thomas’ comments, WNBA commissioner Engelbert issued a statement saying the league “vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate.”
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority,” Engelbert said in a statement on June 30. “We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community.”
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