The WNBA has suspended Sandy Brondello for one game after the Toronto Tempo coach used the phrase “protected species” while addressing officials during Friday’s 112-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream. It is a clear disciplinary response from the league, and it now means Brondello will miss Monday’s home game against the Las Vegas Aces.
The incident came after Nyara Sabally went down with an injury following contact with Angel Reese. Brondello was heard using the phrase as she spoke to officials, then later apologised on X. The league said it expects players and staff to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect.
What Brondello said and why it mattered
Brondello said the phrase is used in Australian sports environments to express frustration over a lack of calls against a player. But she also acknowledged that in American culture, a phrase suggesting someone is not human has a history of derogatory use toward Black people.
That is the key reason this became more than a sideline complaint. Brondello said she should have paused and considered where she was in America, where racism remains a serious issue. She also said she has a lot of respect for Reese and wanted to make sure the message was understood as an emotional statement, not a personal attack.
Reese responds and the league draws a line
Reese’s reaction was measured, but pointed. On Saturday, she thanked the WNBA and Brondello after the apology, saying she appreciated the apology and the support she had received over the previous 48 hours. She also said there is no place for discrimination or hate in the league, from fans, coaches or players.
Reese added that the WNBA should remain positive and continue moving forward in a strong light. She later posted, “ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello,” underlining how closely the comment has been followed and discussed.
By Sunday, Brondello said she had reached out to Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover after the game in an effort to get in touch with Reese. The suspension now closes the immediate disciplinary chapter, but it also serves as a reminder of how quickly an emotional in-game remark can become a league matter.
For the Tempo, the timing is awkward. Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces comes without their coach on the sideline, and the broader lesson is even clearer: the WNBA has made it plain that professionalism and respect are not optional.
