Sandy suspended for calling Angel 'protected species'

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The WNBA has suspended Australian Opals and Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello without pay for one game after her "protected species" comment about Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese during Saturday's game in Toronto.

Brondello has publicly apologised to superstar Angel Reese for using the Australian expression during Toronto's 111-92 loss to Atlanta.

"Toronto Tempo Head Coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended without pay for one game for an inappropriate comment she made regarding Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream during the Tempo’s 111-92 loss to the Dream yesterday in Toronto," the WNBA said in a statement.

"Brondello will serve her suspension Monday when the Tempo host the Las Vegas Aces.

"The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league."

RELATED: What Sandy Brondello meant by "protected species" – the Australian sporting phrase at the centre of the controversy

The incident occurred with 3:16 remaining in the fourth quarter as Dream star Angel Reese drove to the basket, colliding with Toronto Tempo forward Nyara Sabally, who immediately fell to the floor clutching her midsection in obvious pain.

Brondello, 57, immediately protested to the officials, believing the contact warranted a stronger whistle.

"Angel, she's a protected species," Brondello said.

"Oh, come on. You can agree. It's (expletive)."

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In Australian sports vernacular, "protected species" is a slang term for a player who receives preferential treatment or lenient calls from referees. It’s not an expression used in the United States.

Sabally remained on the court for several minutes while being attended to by teammates and medical staff. A stretcher was brought onto the floor as a precaution, but the Tempo forward was ultimately able to leave the court with assistance.

Officials reviewed the play to determine whether it warranted an upgrade to a hostile act but ruled the contact a common foul.

Reese, 24, responded “ARE WE SURPRISED” to a post on X that declared: “Calling a black woman a species…”

Brondello said: “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.”

Reese is a teammate of WNBL26 MVP and Australian Opals guard Isobel Borlase.

The “lost in translation” exchange, further fueled by social media, comes against the backdrop of the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” with the league, media, and fans divided at the intersection of race, popularity and impact.

The Clark phenomenon has unfolded against one of the most politically and culturally polarised periods in modern American history, where debates over race, identity and representation have become deeply entrenched.

Clark has become a lightning rod for broader cultural conversations that extend far beyond basketball.

While the overwhelming majority of players and coaches continue to frame the discussion in competitive terms, public debate has frequently been filtered through the lens of America's wider racial and political divisions, amplifying every hard foul, media narrative and on-court confrontation.

Reese joined the Brisbane Bullets’ ownership group in March 2026 in its bid to win the 10th WNBL franchise. She and Bullets owners Jason Levien and Ben Haan are part of the group trying to secure the license in the wake of Tasmania Jewels landing the league’s ninth club ahead of WNBL27.

"As a woman, it’s really hard in the industry of anything that they try to do, and I just hope I inspire young women that they can do anything they put their minds to,” Reese told Bec Cole and Jason Cadee in a special crossover episode of It’s a Cole World and Cut to the Jase.

“You can be a basketball player, but you can also be a fashion icon. You can do everything you put your mind to.

"So I want women and young women to hopefully be inspired by that."