Lately, it seems like the WNBA is always mired in controversy in one way or another. Usually, they tend to involve Caitlin Clark. Not this one.
This time, it’s Sandy Brondello, the head coach of the Toronto Tempo. She’s under fire for calling Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese a “protected species,” which earned the coach a one-game suspension.
Now, the 57-year-old Australian native is apologizing to anyone who’s willing to listen.
Brondello Admits Regret Over Reese Remarks
All along, before the suspension, folks have suggested that the term she used, “protected species,” is one that’s commonly heard in Australia, and it’s not meant in a derogatory way. Brondello continues with that theme, suggesting she never meant any ill will toward Reese.
Yet, in a long apology message shared with the media, Brondello also realizes she made a mistake. Whether she meant what she said in a bad way or not, she realizes the optics of the situation and had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings.
“I apologized to Angel straight after the game,” Brondello said. “I reached out to (Atlanta’s GM Dan Padover) after the game. I thought that was important, (to reach out) and ask to speak to Angel, because she doesn’t really know me very well. I have a ton of respect for her, and I wanted to make sure that (she knew) it was a heat-of-the-moment, it was an emotional statement, and it’s a statement that’s very common in Australia.”
Brondello adds that she didn’t direct any hatred toward Reese; that’s not the type of person she is. Rather, the emotional side of things, seeing her player get hurt again, stirred up more frustration.
“It wasn’t directed at Angel,” Brondello insisted. “I’d never do that to any kind of player. That’s not the coach I am or a player, back in my day. It was just unfortunate. I was pretty emotional with Nyara, her being injured again, and I made a comment that Australians say all the time.”
Brondello goes on to state that she has a long history in the WNBA as a coach and player, and there’s never been another point where she’s been linked to this type of trouble.
“Unfortunately, I should have taken a breath and realized where I am,” Brondello said. “In America, it’s because I know racism is such a big issue here. But I’ve been in this league for 27 years and I’ve never had any issues like this because these are all my teammates, and I’ve learned so much from the Black players that I’ve coached and that I’ve had on staff, and I know I’m not racist, so it’s a really unfortunate situation.”
Brondello closed out by saying she “really wants” to apologize whenever Reese is ready to hear it, adding that she’s “mad at herself.”
“I did make a mistake and I’ll try and keep my Australianisms, I suppose, out, but it was never meant to be personal, so I am truly sorry, and hopefully she’s doing OK,” Brondello said.
An emotional Sandy Brondello spoke to media following practice and again apologized to Angel Reese.
The Tempo head coach reiterated she’s reached out to the Dream and would like to apologize directly if/when that is an option. pic.twitter.com/VTsrxiz7Uj
— Zulfi Sheikh (@zulfi_sheikh) July 19, 2026
Again, it certainly doesn’t seem like Brondello had any racial intention behind her actions. Yet, if anything, it serves as a lesson to be a bit more careful with her descriptive words, or as she calls them, “Australianisms.”
