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The WNBA suspended Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello without pay for one game due to “an inappropriate comment she made regarding Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream.” The 57-year-old coach was heard calling 24-year-old Reese a “protected species” during Toronto’s game against Atlanta on July 17, 2026.
Brondello was heard speaking to the officials during Atlanta’s 111-92 victory over Toronto on Friday after Nyara Sabally was hurt after making contact with Reese. After Sabally was penalized for the foul, the Tempo coach was heard saying something about Reese that sounded like “protected species.” Following contact with Reese, Toronto center Sabally fell with a rib injury. Officials called the foul on Sabally, not Reese, which sparked the outburst.
Australian-born Brondello is a 27-year WNBA veteran, first as a player, then as a coach. She later clarified that her comment was directed at officials for what she thought to be preferential treatment for Reese, not at Reese herself.
Taking to social media on July 18, 2026, Brondello wrote, “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.”
On Friday, the WNBA suspended Brondello for one game without pay due to “an inappropriate comment she made regardingAngel Reese.” The league said, “The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league.”
Instead of making overt accusations of racist intent, the league’s official statement invoked “professionalism and respect.” Brondello served her suspension on July 20, 2026, against the Las Vegas Aces, with associate head coach Olaf Lange on the bench. The suspension was issued the day following the incident, making it one of the quickest disciplinary procedures in recent WNBA history.
Cross-Cultural Misfire: How Sandy Brondello’s Australian Idiom Sparked WNBA Racial Controversy
Brondello apologized to Reese via social media on Saturday. The Tempo coach said that she accepts “full responsibility” for using the phrase. She also noted that the comment had “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.”
At a press conference, Brondello referred to “protected species” as a typical Australian expression. The Tempo coach said, “Unfortunately, I should have took (sic) a breath and realized where I am in America because I know racism is such a big issue here.”
Brondello is from Australia and has been coaching the national team since 2017. Multiple native Australians told ESPN that the expression “protected species” has been used in Australian sporting environments to express anger with a lack of calls against a player, such as when the player is officiated or treated differently than others. Yet in American society, a phrase implying that someone is not human has a history of disparaging usage against Black people.
Brondello cited her 27-year WNBA career and relationships with Black players as evidence of her character. She said, “I know I’m not racist, so it’s a really unfortunate situation.” She contacted the Dream team before making her public apology. The Tempo coach said she wanted Reese “to know me and my heart.”
Reese’s initial response on social media was pointed. She tweeted, “ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello 🤡,” framing it as an attack on a Black woman. After the ban was issued against Brondello, Reese publicly accepted the Tempo coach’s apologies. The Dream forward also commended the WNBA for its swift action.
“First, I appreciate Sandy’s apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I’ve had for the last 48 hours. It has been very overwhelming, with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action,” Reese said.
