L.A Sparks General Manager Penny Toler Fired For Using N-Word…And She’s Black

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When black people use the N-Word, it can be interpreted in different ways, but not as offensive.  We’ve seen white people lose their jobs over using it because they use it in a racist manner. But recently L.A Sparks General Manager Penny Toler, who is a black woman, was fired from her position over using the N-word during a rant after a Sparks loss.

“It’s unfortunate I used that word,” Toler told ESPN after the Sparks lost to the Connecticut Sun last month during a playoff game. “I shouldn’t. Nobody should but you know, like I said, I’m not here to defend word by word by word what I said. I know some of the words that I’m being accused of are embellished.”

Toler said the way she used the word was taken out of context.

“By no means did I call my players the N-word,” Toler said when speaking to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne after she was let go. “I’m not saying that I couldn’t have used it in a context. But it wasn’t directed at any of my players.”

Toler spent 20 seasons with the Sparks, seeing them through 18 playoff appearances and three championship titles. She also played from the Sparks from 1997 to 1999. Toler also made WNBA history when she made the league’s first basket.