Angel Reese Calls for Positivity After Accepting Sandy Brondello’s Apology, Says the WNBA Must Move Forward With Positivity
Angel Reese has accepted Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello’s apology after the coach was overheard describing the Atlanta Dream star as a “protected species” during a recent game.
The WNBA suspended Brondello for one game following the Tempo’s 111-92 loss to the Dream on Friday. The remark was captured during the broadcast after Toronto player Nyara Sabally went down with an injury and was called for a foul following contact with Reese.
Before the Dream faced the Chicago Sky on Sunday, Reese said she appreciated both Brondello’s apology and the support she received after the incident.
Angel Reese shared a statement regarding Sandy Brondello and the incident on Friday.
— Malik Brown (@_MalikATL) July 19, 2026
Says she’s appreciative of Sandy’s apology, but also of the support of her from others the past 24 hours
Brondello was suspended for one game pic.twitter.com/xyJxAYFzm4
“First, I appreciate Sandy’s apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I’ve had for the last 48 hours,” Reese said. “It has been very overwhelming with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action.”
Sandy Brondello Apologizes Following WNBA Suspension
Brondello later apologized publicly on social media. Reese initially responded after the game by posting, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” and tagging Brondello’s account alongside a clown-face emoji.
Brondello, an Australian coach in her first season leading the expansion Tempo, said her words carried a different meaning in Australian sports culture.
The phrase “protected species” is sometimes used in Australian sports to suggest that a player receives favorable treatment from officials. In the United States, however, the description can imply that a person is not human and may carry particularly offensive racial implications when directed toward a Black player.
Angel Reese Calls for Positivity Across the WNBA
Reese said the league must remain free from discriminatory language and behavior, whether it comes from spectators, coaches or players.
“There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone — from fans to coaches to players,” Reese said Sunday. “And I’m just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball.”
Reese added that the WNBA is experiencing positive momentum and said she wants the league’s attention to return to the game.
“The WNBA is supposed to be positive and we are going in a great light right now, so I just want to continue that and move forward,” she said.
Brondello’s suspension caused her to miss Toronto’s game against the Las Vegas Aces. The disciplinary action also renewed conversations about the words used to describe Black women in professional sports and the responsibility coaches have to understand how their comments may be received beyond their own cultural backgrounds.
