WNBA suspends Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello over Angel Reese comment

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended for one game by the WNBA after she was heard on broadcast microphones describing Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese as a "protected species" during Friday night's game.

The comment came in the aftermath of a foul call on Tempo's Nyara Sabally, who was adjudged to have fouled Reese following an offensive rebound. Atlanta went on to win 111-92 on the road, with Reese finishing on 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals — her 17th double-double of the season in 24 appearances.

Reese responded on X after the game, addressing Brondello directly with a clown emoji. The league announced the suspension, saying it expects all coaches and team personnel to meet the standards of professionalism and respect it considers fundamental.

Brondello apologises

The 57-year-old Australian, in her first season with the WNBA's Toronto expansion side, posted an apology to Reese on Saturday. Brondello said she used a phrase she should not have used in the emotion of the moment after Sabally's injury, and that her frustration was with the officiating rather than with Reese personally.

She added that she understood her words carried an impact beyond what she intended, particularly for Black women in the league, and apologised to Reese, her teammates and the Dream organisation. Brondello has coached the Australian national team since 2017, and the phrase is commonly used in Australian sport to express frustration about how a player is officiated — a context that differs sharply from how it is received in the United States.

• Brondello suspended for one game by the WNBA over the comment
• Incident followed a foul called on Toronto's Nyara Sabally after an offensive rebound
• Reese posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals in Atlanta's 111-92 win
• Coach issued a public apology to Reese on social media the following day
• Suspension to be served Monday when Toronto hosts reigning champions Las Vegas

What's next

Brondello will serve the ban on Monday when the Tempo host the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces. According to ESPN, the episode is also expected to be raised at a previously scheduled meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week.

The sanction lands in a debut season for Toronto and adds to an ongoing conversation about how players, coaches and officials are held to account across the league as it continues to expand.