SerpApi.Org
Joy Taylor is coming to the defense of the WNBA in the wake of the Sandy Brondello punishment.
The Toronto Tempo head coach was suspended for one game without pay after referring to Angel Reese as a "protected species." Brondello previously coached in Australia, where that sports world often uses "protected species" to refer to players who get beneficial calls from refs. However, Reese and others were offended by the comment.
Brondello ultimately apologized.
"Have a ton of respect for her, but I wanted to make sure that [she knows] it was an emotional statement," Brondello said. "It's a statement that's very common in Australia, it wasn't directed at Angel. I'd never do that to any kind of player. That's not the kind of coach I am or player back in my day. It was just unfortunate. I was pretty emotional with Nyara, her being injured again. I made a comment that, Australians, we say all the time.
"Unfortunately, I should have took a breath and realized where I am in America because I know racism is such a big issue here. I've been in this league for 27 years and, obviously, I never had any issues like this because these are all my teammates and I've learnt so much from the Black players that I've coached and that I've had on staff."
Reese appreciated the apology.
"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.
"There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone -- from fans to coaches to players. And I'm just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball.
"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."
Taylor came to WNBA's defense on Tuesday
Joy Taylor, the former Fox Sports 1 personality, came to the WNBA's defense.
“I think the suspension was fair," she said.
“I think the conversations, the language that's being used, and the appreciation for black women in the sport who have built the W to what it is really needs to have a lot more attention paid to it.”
Taylor, meanwhile, has been frustrated by all of the drama surrounding the league.
“I think that the conversation around the W right now is really frustrating,” she said.
“There's so many incredible stories on the court this year. I think [Minnesota Lynx guard] Olivia Miles is having one of the greatest rookie seasons in professional basketball history.”
She's hoping things will change.
“The W is becoming very politicized, and I do think that it's time to have some real conversations about inclusivity. Obviously, there are no black female coaches in the W right now, which is really a problem,” she added.
“So I think that this is a good time for everyone to sort of sit down and really deal with some of the issues that are happening around the W when it comes to race, when it comes to social issues, when it comes to how we are dealing with inclusivity in a league that really is about inclusivity. So it's really unfortunate that happens.”
