LA Sparks coach Curt Miller commits to paving way for other LGBTQ+ people: "I will keep carrying the banner and challenge the decision makers"

Los Angeles Sparks head coach Curt Miller has been celebrating the pride month in June despite his team's losing run. As one openly gay coach, Miller looks to bring about his advocacy to more people and pave the way for more opportunities for LGBTQ+ people in the sports industry.

Two days after his pre-game statements before the Sparks faced off against the Las Vegas Aces on Jun. 9, Miller opened up about the significance of celebrating other communities and minorities in society:

“For the longest time, I didn’t want to be known as the gay head coach but just the successful coach. However, too many young coaches are concerned about advancement & opportunities..so I will keep carrying the banner and challenge the decision makers to open doors to others!” Miller wrote on X.

The Sparks’ game on Jun. 9 was a pride showcase in which LA won 96-92 over the Aces. Miller discussed how important his representation is to the community.

“In all seriousness, it’s really important to me to continue to provide visibility and representation to the coaches behind me,” Miller said. “I didn’t have a role model. I didn’t have someone that I could call and reach out to to navigate as a gay male in sports."

Having been coaching for over 30 years, mainly for NCAA and WNBA teams, Miller is the only openly gay male coach in the top professional men’s and women’s basketball leagues in America.

The 55-year-old is a former coach of the Connecticut Sun, calling the shots for seven seasons, including two trips to the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. Miller posted a 140-86 record with the Sun and was named Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2021. He is also a former general manager of Connecticut, winning Executive of the Year in 2017.

He also coached Bowling Green and Indiana from 2001 to 2014 in the collegiate ranks, building his name as one of the most reliable tacticians in the sport.

Rookie Cameron Brink calls coach Curt Miller “bestie”

Curt Miller has certainly built great relationships with his players, as demonstrated by rookie Cameron Brink’s distinction of her LA Sparks coach as her “bestie.”

Brink posted a photo of her and Miller in the rookie’s first WNBA game last May.

“Me & my bestie,” Brink said.

Curt Miller and Cameron Brink. IG @cameronbrink22

The LA Sparks have a 4-7 record so far, good for the ninth in the WNBA standings, as they ride a two-game winning streak into their game versus the Seattle Storm.