An Acclaro Medical employee was fired just more than a week after sending Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby a racist text.
Fans quickly identified the employee after Hamby posted a screenshot of the text, with the sender's phone number, on social media on Aug. 24.
Acclaro Medical confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, Sept. 1, that the employee is no longer with the company.
The employee had originally been "suspended while an investigation is being conducted," Acclaro Medical told USA TODAY on Aug. 25. In a statement shared on social media, the company said "it condemns racism, harassment, hate speech and discriminating behavior in all forms" and the online remarks "do not in any way reflect the values and standards of the Company."
The reason for the suspension and eventual termination of the Acclaro Medical employee began the morning of Aug. 24 when Hamby shared a screenshot of a text message she said she received from an unknown number. In the message, the person directed a racial slur at the Sparks forward and called her an animal. Hamby included the person's number in the screenshot and asked her nearly 50,000 X followers: "Anyone know this number?"
Internet sleuths quickly identified the sender by reverse-searching the phone number. Multiple social media users then alerted the person's employer, Acclaro Medical, prompting the company to investigate.
"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 this matter extremely seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation."
It remains unclear how the person responsible for the message acquired Hamby's personal phone number.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the WNBA and the Sparks for comment.
Hamby is the latest WNBA player to come forward about racial abuse this season. 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, and it has reignited commentary around race and player safety.
In July, Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray said she hoped "people will think twice now" before spreading hate after a Hilton Grand Vacations employee was terminated for directing a racial slur toward her 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 said. "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."
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. Afterward, 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 in June. "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, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a statement saying the WNBA "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 the statement. "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."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Employee fired after LA Sparks' Dearica Hamby exposed racist text on social media
