Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the WNBA’s decision later Monday to discipline Curt Miller for his comment.
Connecticut Sun coach Curt Miller apologized for a comment he made about Liz Cambage’s weight during the Sun’s win over the Aces on Sunday night. The Aces center called Miller out on her Instagram story after the game, saying he referred to her as “300 pounds” when arguing with a referee about a foul call.
Miller, whose Sun team leads the WNBA at 5-0, responded to Cambage’s comments on Monday morning.
“During last night’s game, while arguing a call with an official, I made an inappropriate and offensive comment in reference to Liz Cambage’s height and weight,” Miller said in a statement. “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.”
In response, the WNBA has fined Miller $10,000 and suspended him for one game, meaning he will miss the Sun’s highly anticipated matchup with the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.
Cambage, who’s 6-foot-8, said she was speaking out about the incident because she “will never let a man disrespect me.”
“The next time you try to call out a referee, you know, trying to get a call being like, ‘C’mon, she 300 pounds,’ I’m gonna need you to get it right baby,” Cambage said in her story. “I’m 6-8, I’m weighing — I just double-checked because I love to be correct and get facts — I’m weighing 235 pounds and I’m very proud of being a big b—-.
“So, don’t ever try to disrespect me or another woman in the league. I don’t know if that’s how coaches run, like you just try to disrespect women like that from the sideline.”
Cambage then addressed the issue of coaches trash-talking players during a game.
“I think there’s a big difference between players and players talking shit on the court,” she said. “But for a coach for another team to be yelling protected abuse, because we can’t do nothing back, is just crazy to me.”
Cambage, a three-time WNBA All-Star, is off to a strong start with Las Vegas after sitting out of the 2020 bubble season. Through four games, she’s averaging the second-most points on the team (13.8) and the third-most blocks in the league (2.5).
