The WNBA made a statement on Saturday, issuing No. 10 Toronto coach Sandy Brondello a one-game unpaid suspension for calling Atlanta’s Angel Reese a “protected species” in Friday’s 111-92 loss to the No. 5 Dream.
The remark came after Tempo center Nyara Sabally drew a foul on Reese with 3:16 left and stayed down for medical attention, as Brondello was picked up on mic protesting the call.
Reese later tagged the coach in a tweet referencing the comment, prompting Brondello to post an apology saying she understood her words “carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for Black women in our league, and I’m deeply sorry for that.”
The 57-year-old Australian — who also helms the Opals national team — used a term common in rugby and AFL to describe players who get favorable whistles.
Dispatching her from tonight’s game against No. 3 Las Vegas, the league called her phrasing “inappropriate” and said it expects all personnel to uphold “the highest standards of professionalism and respect.”
“I appreciate Sandy’s apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I’ve had,” Reese said, addressing reporters after Sunday’s 93-91 win over No. 12 Chicago.
“There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league… I’m just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and play winning basketball.”
The WNBPA already planned to address escalating harassment with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Tuesday. Fallout surrounding Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas’s Flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark and a racist DM sent to Aces guard Chelsea Gray sharpened the conversation.
