Curt Miller Suspended for Liz Cambage Remarks

The WNBA fined Connecticut Sun head coach Curt Miller $10,000 and suspended him for one game after making a negative remark to a referee Sunday about Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage.

Cambage posted a lengthy story on her Instagram after Sunday’s game. She went into detail explaining how Miller tried to get a referee to call a foul in the Sun’s favor by mentioning her weight. According to Cambage, it seemed that Miller remarked to the referee something along the lines of: “C’mon, she’s 300 pounds.”

Cambage went into detail about her height, weight, and body on her Instagram story. She explained that, at the moment on the court, she didn’t know what to say to Miller. After taking time after the game, she realized she had a lot to say and wanted to share it with everyone. And that no amount of money can change what transpired.

Miller’s apology and statement

Miller issued a statement Monday morning, apologizing to Cambage and the Aces organization.

“I made an inappropriate and offensive comment in reference to Liz Cambage’s height and weight. I regret what I said in the heat of the moment and want to sincerely apologize to Liz and the entire Aces organization. I understand the gravity of my words and have learned from this,” Miller said.

The WNBA All-Star said she talks trash during games but that she considers it different because it is between players. “But for a coach for another team, to be yelling, like, protected abuse. Because we can’t do nothing back, it’s just crazy to me,” Cambage said.

“I will never let a man disrespect me, ever, ever, ever, especially a little white one,” Cambage said, adding later, “Don’t ever try to disrespect me or another woman in the league.”

In her post, Cambage said Miller was lucky the incident occurred during a game when she was just doing her job.

First year WNBA president Jennifer Rizzotti issued a statement for the team on Monday evening, stating, “In no way do we condone any behavior or speech that is disparaging towards another person,” she said. “Curt has apologized for his mistake and understands the gravity of his words.”