Connecticut Sun coach Curt Miller has been fined $10,000 and suspended for one game by the WNBA for making a disparaging remark to a referee about the weight of Las Vegas Aces post player Liz Cambage.
Key points:
- Suns coach Curt Miller said his words about Liz Cambage’s weight “weren’t unacceptable” after “31 years empowering women” in the game
- Miller will serve his suspension when Connecticut visits the Seattle Storm on Wednesday
- Cambage said there was a big difference between the coach’s comments and trash talk among players
In a social media post following the Aces’ 72-65 loss to the Sun on Sunday, Cambage said Miller showed a lack of respect. The coach, while arguing whether a call should have gone the Sun’s way, told the official she weighed 300 pounds.
“I will never let a man disrespect me,” Cambage said in her Instagram post.
Miller issued a statement on Tuesday apologising to Cambage and the Aces.
“I made an inappropriate and offensive comment in reference to Liz Cambage’s height and weight,” he wrote.
“I regret what I said in the heat of the moment and want to sincerely apologise to Liz and the entire Aces organisation. I understand the gravity of my words and have learned from this.”
Miller said he had spoken with Cambage’s agent and the Aces’ general manager, while speaking of his disappointment later on Tuesday at a media session.
“As a leader, words matter. It was inappropriate,” he said. “In a league where we empower women, and I’ve spent 31 years empowering women, [those words were] just not acceptable.”
The 203cm player said she weighed 235 pounds (106kg) and was proud of her size. She said Miller’s comment was far different from the usual player-to-player trash talk.
“There’s a big difference between players talking s*** on the court,” she said.
“For a coach on another team to be yelling like protected abuse, because we can’t do nothing back, it’s just crazy to me.”
The Sun said Miller would serve his suspension when Connecticut visits the Seattle Storm on Wednesday. Assistants Brandi Poole and Chris Koclanes will be co-head coaches for the game.
AP
