Tempo's Brondello suspended one game for Angel Reese comment
Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has received a one-game suspension from the WNBA following an inappropriate comment made during a recent game. The incident occurred during Friday’s game against the Atlanta Dream, which the Tempo lost 111-92. Brondello will miss Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.
The league announced the suspension on Saturday, emphasizing the expectation for all coaches and team personnel to maintain high standards of professionalism and respect. The comment in question was picked up by the broadcast during the game. After Tempo player Nyara Sabally sustained an injury following contact with Dream player Angel Reese, and Sabally was subsequently called for a foul, Brondello was heard addressing officials, referring to Reese as a “protected species.”
Brondello, who is in her first season coaching the expansion Tempo, posted an apology on social media on Saturday. In her statement, she addressed Reese directly, saying, “Angel, I’m sorry.” She explained that her words were uttered “in the emotion of the moment after Nyara’s injury” and acknowledged that she “used a phrase that I shouldn’t have used.” Brondello took “full responsibility” for her actions, clarifying that her frustration was with the officiating, but her words “unfairly put the focus on you.”
Reese responded to the incident on social media after the game, posting “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” and tagging Brondello’s account, followed by a clown face emoji. Brondello further acknowledged the impact of her words, stating, “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 added that she has “spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.”
Context of the Comment and Apology
The phrase “protected species” is used in Australian sports to express frustration regarding a perceived lack of fouls called against a particular player. However, in the United States, the phrase can suggest that someone is not human and may be seen as derogatory, particularly toward Black individuals. Brondello, who is Australian, recognized the unintended hurt caused by her words. She concluded her apology by stating, “I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply. I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates, and the Dream organization for my comment.”
Brondello has a notable coaching career in the league, having served as a head coach since 2014. During her tenure, she has led teams to titles with Phoenix and New York. Her current team, the Tempo, is an expansion franchise playing in its inaugural WNBA season. Following Friday’s loss to the Dream, the Tempo’s record stands at 10-15, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference and 11th overall in the WNBA standings.
Angel Reese’s Performance and Team Standing
Angel Reese, who was traded to the Dream from the Chicago Sky, has been performing strongly this season. In Friday’s game against the Tempo, she finished with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with 12 rebounds, three steals, and two assists, contributing significantly to her team’s 111-92 victory. This performance marked her finishing second on the team in scoring for the game.
Reese is averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game this season, complemented by 11.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals. This marks her third season in the WNBA, and she has been named an All-Star for the third time in her career. Her contributions have helped the Dream achieve a 15-10 start to the season, which places them in a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall in the WNBA standings.
The suspension of Coach Brondello highlights the league’s commitment to maintaining a professional and respectful environment for all its participants. Brondello will serve her one-game suspension during the Tempo’s upcoming game against the Las Vegas Aces on Monday.
Source: cp24.com
