Tempo coach apologizes after calling Angel Reese ‘protected species’ during game Friday

Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello apologized to Angel Reese on Saturday after Brondello was heard calling Reese a “protected species” following a foul on Tempo center Nyara Sabally in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 111-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Friday night.

Sabally was called for a defensive foul on Reese with 3:16 to play, but Sabally fell to the floor and required attention from the Toronto medical staff. While Sabally was being attended to, Brondello yelled at official Toni Patillo, “Angel, she’s a protected species.”

After the game, Reese reshared a post on X referencing Brondello’s comment and wrote “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” with a clown emoji and tagged Brondello’s account.

On Saturday morning, Brondello apologized to Reese on X, writing: “Angel, I’m sorry. Last night, in the emotion of the moment after Nyara’s injury, I used a phrase that I shouldn’t have used, and I take full responsibility for that. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you.

“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. I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.

“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.”

The term “protected species” has been used in Australian sports to describe athletes who receive lenient treatment from referees. The term is used more frequently in rugby and Australian rules football. Brondello is from Australia and currently coaches the Australian women’s national team.

Friday’s incident comes on the heels of WNBA players raising multiple instances of harassment in recent weeks. Most recently, Las Vegas Aces center Chelsea Gray posted a screenshot of a derogatory message she received from a fan containing a racial slur. The individual who sent the message was later fired from their job with Hilton Grand Vacations.

The players’ union has scheduled a meeting Tuesday with league leadership, including commissioner Cathy Engelbert, to discuss the league’s growing problem with online harassment. It will include the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

The Tempo next play the Dream in Atlanta on Monday, Aug. 10.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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