Sandy Brondello apologizes to Angel Reese for protected species remark
ESPN • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 7:42 PM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Sandy Brondello, coach of the Toronto Tempo, apologized to Angel Reese after being overheard calling her a "protected species" during a game on July 18, 2026. The comment arose after a foul was not called on Reese, leading to frustration over officiating. Following the game's conclusion, Brondello issued a statement on Twitter asserting she regretted her choice of words and the adverse effect they had, especially on Black women in the league. Reese responded to the comment on social media, expressing her discontent. The Dream are set to face the Chicago Sky next.
- •Brondello referred to Reese as a protected species during a game.
- •The remark followed a non-call on a foul against Reese.
- •Reese tweeted her reaction shortly after the incident.
- •Brondello issued a public apology acknowledging her misstep.
- •The Atlanta Dream will play the Chicago Sky next.
- 12:14 AMESPN — Brondello suspended 1 game for Reese comment
- 11:06 PMYahoo Sports — Tempo coach Sandy Brondello suspended by WNBA for Angel Reese comment
- 8:43 PMESPN — Brondello regrets Reese comment, apologizes
- 7:21 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA coach apologizes to Angel Reese for calling her a ‘protected species’ during game
"Tempo coach Sandy Brondello apologized to Angel Reese after being heard referring to Reese with a phrase that sounded like "protected species" to officials during a game Friday.
"The WNBA suspended Tempo coach Sandy Brondello one game after she was heard referring to Angel Reese as a "protected species."
"Sandy Brondello, who coaches the Toronto Tempo, took to Twitter and said that her words carried a different impact, namely
Sources
External links- ESPNJul 19, 2026, 12:14 AMBrondello suspended 1 game for Reese comment
The WNBA suspended Tempo coach Sandy Brondello one game after she was heard referring to Angel Reese as a "protected species."
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 11:06 PMTempo coach Sandy Brondello suspended by WNBA for Angel Reese comment
Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was suspended one game for calling Angel Reese a 'protected species' during a game.
- ESPNJul 18, 2026, 8:43 PMBrondello regrets Reese comment, apologizes
Tempo coach Sandy Brondello apologized to Angel Reese after being heard referring to Reese with a phrase that sounded like "protected species" to officials during a game Friday.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 7:21 PMWNBA coach apologizes to Angel Reese for calling her a ‘protected species’ during game
Sandy Brondello, who coaches the Toronto Tempo, took to Twitter and said that her words carried a different impact, namely
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- WNBA•Jul 20, 2026, 9:18 PMWalmart Heiress Explores Las Vegas NBA Expansion Bid
WNBA•Jul 20, 2026, 8:16 PMWNBA Power Rankings: Valkyries' streak has them at No. 1, Liberty stuck in 'trenches'- WNBA•Jul 20, 2026, 7:48 PMHow long is Paige Bueckers out? Concussion timeline, return date for Wings star
- WNBA•Jul 20, 2026, 6:10 PMWings star Paige Bueckers out Monday vs. Liberty despite clearing concussion protocol
- WNBA•Jul 20, 2026, 5:37 PMStephanie White gives uncertain Caitlin Clark injury update before Fever-Sun game
- WNBA•Jul 20, 2026, 5:34 PMWNBA All-Star weekend clouded by 2 injuries as Paige Bueckers sits and Angel Reese limps off
