Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has received a one-game suspension from the WNBA following an inappropriate comment made during Friday’s game against the Atlanta Dream. The league announced the suspension on Saturday, stating that Brondello will miss Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.
The incident occurred during the Tempo’s 111-92 loss to the Dream. Broadcast audio captured Brondello addressing officials after Tempo player Nyara Sabally sustained an injury following contact with Dream player Angel Reese. Despite Sabally going down, she was called for a foul. During this exchange, Brondello was heard referring to Reese as a “protected species.”
Coach’s Apology and Social Media Reaction
Following the game, Reese responded on social media, posting, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” and tagging Brondello’s account, accompanied by a clown face emoji. Brondello, who is in her first season with the expansion Tempo, issued an apology on social media on Saturday.
In her apology, Brondello addressed Reese directly, stating, “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.”
Brondello further acknowledged the broader impact of her words. “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. She emphasized her professional history, adding, “I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.”
The coach concluded her apology by expressing regret for causing hurt to a community she deeply respects. She also conveyed her respect for Reese as both a player and a person, offering a sincere apology to Reese, her teammates, and the Dream organization for the comment.
Context of the Remark
Brondello, who is Australian, used a phrase that carries different connotations depending on the cultural context. In Australian sports, the term “protected species” is sometimes used to express frustration regarding a perceived lack of fouls called against a specific player. However, in the United States, the phrase can be interpreted as suggesting that someone is not human, potentially making it derogatory, particularly when directed at Black individuals.
The WNBA emphasized its commitment to professionalism in its statement announcing the suspension. The league stated, “The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league.”
Player Performance and Team Standings
Angel Reese continued her strong performance on Friday, contributing significantly to the Dream’s victory. She finished the game with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with 12 rebounds, three steals, and two assists. This performance placed her second on the team in scoring.
Reese, who joined the Dream after a trade from the Chicago Sky, is currently averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game, alongside 11.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals. She has been named an All-Star for the third time in her three-year WNBA career, contributing to the Dream’s 15-10 start to the season. This record places them in a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall in the WNBA standings.
Conversely, Brondello’s Tempo, an expansion team in their inaugural WNBA season, saw their record drop to 10-15 following Friday’s loss. This places them fifth in the Eastern Conference and 11th in the WNBA. Brondello has a history as a head coach in the league since 2014, having previously won titles with Phoenix and New York.
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Source: cp24.com
