A racist text message sent directly to Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby has cost the sender their job. This wasn’t some anonymous internet troll hidden behind a screen, this was personal, hitting Hamby’s private number, and the league is once again facing down ugly external challenges.
The Incident and Quick Justice
It all went down fast after Hamby, a three-time All-Star and two-time Sixth Player of the Year, pulled back the curtain on social media. On August 24, she shared a screenshot of the vile text, laying it bare for her 47,000 followers on X. What’s absolutely wild is that the sender was dumb enough to include their own personal phone number, complete with a Florida area code. Seriously? Internet sleuths went to work immediately. They tracked that number down, and Acclaro Medical, the medical equipment supplier where the sender worked, got alerted. Suspension followed fast, and by Tuesday, September 2, Acclaro Medical confirmed to USA Today that the person was rightfully fired. Good riddance. This is exactly the kind of swift justice we need to see when players are targeted like this.
This Isn’t An Isolated Incident, And It’s A Problem
But let’s be real, while this firing is a win, Hamby’s experience isn’t happening in a vacuum. She’s just the latest WNBA player to get hit with racist messages or threats. The league, which has exploded in popularity, is constantly battling these external challenges. Remember July? Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray also exposed racist direct messages, and guess what? Her sender got fired from their job too. Then there’s Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, who faced a one-game suspension in June for that incident with Caitlin Clark. After that, Thomas revealed she was absolutely bombarded with death threats and racist messages online. She didn’t hold back either, directly calling out Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and pushing her to step up, to do more to protect these incredible athletes from this kind of hate. It’s a constant fight, and it’s unacceptable.
This situation with Dearica Hamby is a stark reminder. Our players, these fierce competitors who give everything on the court, should never have to deal with this garbage off it. The WNBA’s commissioner and the league itself have to keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep protecting its stars. Every single time a player gets targeted, it’s a gut punch to the entire sport. This isn’t just about one text or one firing; it’s about the integrity of the league and the safety of its athletes moving forward. We need to see more action, more protection, and zero tolerance for any of this hate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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