Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello dropped a bomb on Friday, calling Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese a "protected species" during a game against the Tempo. This wasn't some quiet aside; Brondello made the comment after Tempo's Nyara Sabally suffered an injury during a collision with Reese. The coach’s words were meant to refer to Reese's standing in the WNBA, but the phrase immediately grabbed attention on social media. The WNBA community, and especially Reese herself, weren't about to let that slide.
A Clown Emoji Says It All About the Initial Reaction
Can you believe those words? "Protected species." Reese didn't even know about the comment during the game, but she saw it afterward. Her response on X was immediate and pointed: "ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello 🤡" You don't need a translator for that clown emoji, do you? The backlash was swift and intense. The term "species" received a lot of criticism for the deeply negative racial undertones, especially given Reese is a Black woman. Brondello, who is Australian, quickly caught wind of the pushback she'd ignited.Brondello Issues an Apology, But What's Next?
Brondello went on social media herself to issue an apology. "Angel, I'm sorry," she wrote on X. She claimed it was "in the emotion of the moment after Nyara's injury," and took "full responsibility for that." Brondello emphasized her frustration was with the officiating, but admitted her "words unfairly put the focus on you." She also understood her "words carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for Black women in our league, and I'm deeply sorry for that." She'd spent her career "competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women," and regretted that her words caused "hurt to a community I respect so deeply." Brondello apologized to Reese, her teammates, and the Dream organization. It was a big apology, for sure. But here's the kicker: Reese has not yet publicly responded to Brondello's follow-up. On Saturday, after Brondello shared her apology, Reese simply posted a single black heart emoji "🖤" on X. The silence speaks volumes, doesn't it?Reese Keeps Balling While the Drama Unfolds
Amidst all this drama, Reese kept putting in work on the court. Her Atlanta Dream squad crushed the Tempo 111-92. Reese was a force, with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. You can't deny her impact despite the drama. While Brondello, a long-time WNBA coach previously with the New York Liberty before taking over the expansion Tempo, works through this, the WNBA is left grappling with the weight of those words. This isn't just about one coach and one player; it's about respect and the broader conversation in the league. Everyone's watching to see how this plays out, because some words just can't be unheard.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.