Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has apologized for calling Atlanta Dream player Angel Reese a "protected species" during a WNBA game on Friday. The comment, made in the heat of the moment during Atlanta's 111-92 victory over Toronto, drew immediate criticism.
Brondello's remark was made after a foul call on Reese, who made contact with Toronto's Nyara Sabally as Sabally went up for a shot. Sabally was injured on the play and left the game. Brondello was overheard yelling "Angel, she's a protected species" while Sabally was on the floor.
Following the game, Reese responded on X, formerly Twitter, with the post "ARE WE SURPRISED?!" accompanied by a clown emoji and tagging Brondello's account.
On Saturday, Brondello expressed her regret in a statement posted to her X account. "Angel, I’m sorry. Last night, in the emotion of the moment after [Sabally’s] injury, I used a phrase that I shouldn’t have used, and I take full responsibility for that," Brondello wrote. "My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you."
Brondello further acknowledged the broader impact of her words, particularly concerning Black women in the league. "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 stated. "I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women."
The incident involving Brondello and Reese occurs amidst a series of recent controversies in the WNBA involving player conduct and alleged racial comments. Earlier in June, Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas reported receiving hateful messages after an on-court incident with Caitlin Clark. Additionally, an employee of Hilton Grand Vacations was reportedly fired following accusations of sending a racist message to Las Vegas Aces player Chelsea Gray.
The Toronto Tempo and Atlanta Dream are scheduled to play each other again on August 10.