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(NewsNation) — Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was suspended Friday for making an “inappropriate comment” about a Black WNBA player.
Brondello, who is Australian, was overheard telling officials during the Tempo’s match against the Atlanta Dream that star forward Angel Reese was a “protected species.”
The coach took “full responsibility” for using the phrase and apologized to Reese on Saturday.
“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,” Brondello wrote on X. “My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you.
“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.”
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese responds to the crowd after a WNBA exhibition basketball game against Brazil in Baton Rouge, La., Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) MONTREAL, CANADA – JULY 12: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the Toronto Tempo addresses the media ahead of the WNBA game against the New York Liberty at the Bell Centre on July 12, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
On Sunday, Brondello apologized again and explained that the “protected species” saying is often used in Australian sports circles to convey frustration over a lack of calls against a player during a game and not meant to be racist, something that native Australians told ESPN.
“Have a ton of respect for her, but I wanted to make sure that [she knows] it was an emotional statement,” Brondello told reporters. “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 [Tempo player] Nyara [Sybally], her being injured again. I made a comment that, Australians, we say all the time.”
In the U.S., referring to a Black person as a “species” can be seen as a derogatory phrase with racist roots.
Angel Reese appreciates the apology, praises league
Reese thanked Brondello for her apology while also praising the league for taking swift action against the coach.
“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 per ESPN. “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.”
Brondello’s unpaid one-day suspension is set for Monday during the Tempo’s match against the Las Vegas Aces.
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