Sandy Brondello Apologizes After Saying Her Comment About Angel Reese Carries a Different Impact for Black Women
Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended for one game without pay after referring to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese as a “protected species” during Friday night’s game.
The WNBA announced the disciplinary action Saturday, saying coaches and team personnel are expected to maintain professional and respectful conduct.
“The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league,” the league said in a statement.
Brondello will miss Toronto’s Monday matchup against the Las Vegas Aces.
Brondello’s Comment Was Caught During Broadcast
The controversy began during Toronto’s 111-92 loss to Atlanta.
Broadcast microphones captured Brondello confronting officials after Tempo forward Nyara Sabally went to the floor following contact with Reese. Sabally was called for the foul and later left the court with assistance from team trainers.
“Angel, she’s a protected species,” Brondello could be heard telling officials. “Oh, come on. You can agree. It’s [expletive].”
The play was ruled a common foul.
Reese responded shortly after the game on social media.
ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello 🤡 https://t.co/moNbYdDYo3
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 18, 2026
“ARE WE SURPRISED?!” she wrote while tagging Brondello’s account and adding a clown emoji.
Brondello Apologizes Directly to Angel Reese
Brondello released a public apology Saturday, acknowledging that her frustration with the officiating had unfairly been directed toward 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.
— Sandy Brondello (@SBrondello) July 18, 2026
“Angel, I’m sorry,” Brondello wrote. “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.”
Brondello, who is Australian, also recognized that the phrase carried a particularly harmful meaning when directed at a Black woman in the United States.
“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,” she wrote. “I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.”
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.
— Sandy Brondello (@SBrondello) July 18, 2026
She continued by apologizing to Reese, her teammates and the Dream organization.
“I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply,” Brondello said. “I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates, and the Dream organization for my comment.”
Also Read: Paige Bueckers Calls Out WNBA’s Lack of Black Women Head Coaches
Phrase Carries Different Meaning in the United States
The phrase “protected species” is sometimes used in Australian sports to suggest that a player receives favorable treatment from referees.
In the United States, however, describing a Black person as a separate “species” can be interpreted as dehumanizing and carries a long history of racist implications.
Brondello said she understood that her words had caused harm beyond what she intended.
The veteran coach is in her first season leading the expansion Toronto Tempo. She has served as a WNBA head coach since 2014 and previously won league championships with the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty.
Reese, now a three-time WNBA All-Star, continues to rank among the league’s leading rebounders. She and the Dream were scheduled to face her former team, the Chicago Sky, on Sunday.
