WNBA suspends Toronto coach Brondello after comment

The WNBA has suspended Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello for one game without pay for making an inappropriate comment about Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese during a game on July 17. The league announced the suspension on July 18, and Brondello served it on July 20, missing her team's home game against the Las Vegas Aces.

The incident occurred late in Atlanta's 111-92 victory over Toronto at Coca-Cola Coliseum. After Reese and Tempo forward Nyara Sabally collided, resulting in a foul called on Sabally, who suffered a rib injury, broadcast microphones captured Brondello addressing officials, saying, "Angel, she's a protected species." The remark quickly circulated online, where many interpreted it as derogatory. Reese responded on social media, posting "ARE WE SURPRISED?!" and tagging Brondello's account.

On July 18, Brondello issued a public apology on social media directed at Reese. She wrote that she used a phrase she should not have used in the emotion of the moment, that her frustration was with the officiating, and that her words unfairly focused on Reese. She added an apology for the broader impact of her words, stating she understood they carried particular weight...