Tempo's Brondello suspended one game for Angel Reese comment

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello faces a one-game suspension following a comment made during her team's recent game against the Atlanta Dream. The league issued the penalty on Saturday after microphones captured Brondello referring to Dream player Angel Reese as a protected species during a discussion with officials about an injury to Tempo player Nyara Sabally.

Brondello, who previously coached in Phoenix and New York, publicly apologized to Reese on social media. She explained that she intended to express frustration regarding officiating inconsistency rather than imply any dehumanizing meaning. She acknowledged that the phrase carries a weight of harm that she did not intend and offered an apology to Reese, her teammates, and the entire Dream organization.

While the phrase is sometimes used in Australian sports to describe players who receive preferential treatment from referees, the league acted to maintain its standards of professionalism. Several native Australians noted that the term describes a frustration with officiating parity. Despite the intent, the league determined that a suspension was necessary.

Brondello will miss Monday's home game against the Las Vegas Aces as a result of the suspension. This incident will also be a topic of conversation at a meeting between players and league commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week, as the league works to address concerns regarding the language used toward its athletes. Reese responded to the comment on social media following the initial broadcast of the remark, and the situation continues to draw attention as the WNBA season progresses.