The WNBA has suspended Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello for one game after she made an inappropriate comment directed at Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese during Friday's matchup between the two teams.
The incident occurred during the Tempo's 111-92 loss, when Toronto forward Nyara Sabally went down with an injury after contact with Reese. Sabally was called for the foul, and Brondello — a native Australian — was caught by the broadcast saying Reese was a "protected species" as she addressed the officials.
The league announced the suspension Saturday, July 18, saying in a statement: "The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league." Brondello will miss Monday's game against the Las Vegas Aces.
Brondello issued an apology on social media on Saturday, writing directly to Reese: "Angel, I'm sorry. Last night, in the emotion of the moment after Nyara's injury, I used a phrase that I shouldn't have used, and I take full responsibility for that. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you."
Reese initially reacted strongly after the game, posting "ARE WE SURPRISED?!" with a clown face emoji and tagging Brondello's account. However, the Atlanta star later accepted the coach's apology after Brondello's public statement.
Brondello added: "I also understand that my words carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for Black women in our league, and I'm deeply sorry for that. I've spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women." She went on: "I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply. I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person."
The phrase "protected species" is commonly used in Australian sports to express frustration over a lack of foul calls against a particular player. However, in the United States, the term carries a different weight, suggesting that someone is not human and can be seen as derogatory toward Black people.
Brondello, in her first season leading the expansion Toronto Tempo, is one of the most accomplished coaches in WNBA history. She has been a head coach in the league since 2014, winning championships with the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty.
Sources
- [AP News — Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello suspended 1 game after inappropriate comment](https://apnews.com/article/sandy-brondello-suspension-angel-reese-wnba-09bd4e35dc9920da71b426ca7e456b1a)
