WNBA coach Sandy Brondello drew heat for calling Angel Reese a protected species during a July 17 game. The league handed down a one-game suspension, and Reese has now broken her silence on the apology and backlash.
The drama kicked off Friday when Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was overheard arguing with refs during her team’s matchup against the Atlanta Dream. She dropped the line “Angel, she’s a protected species” while defending a play involving Nyara Sabally.
Brondello quickly apologized on social media the next day, saying the words were aimed at officiating and not Reese. The WNBA suspended her without pay for Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, stressing that coaches must maintain professionalism.
Reese posted on X that she appreciated the apology and the support she received over the past 48 hours. She added there is no place for discrimination or hate in the league and hoped everyone could refocus on basketball.
Fans are split, with some calling the comment intentional and others saying it was taken out of context. So… is this just another ref rant or something deeper?
