Sandy Brondello apologizes to Angel Reese after live-mic remark

Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello apologized Saturday to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese after a courtside complaint about officiating was caught on a live microphone during Atlanta’s 111-92 win Friday.

According to CBS Sports, the broadcast picked up Brondello calling Reese “a protected species” after Reese drew a foul late in the fourth quarter. Brondello later said her frustration was directed at the officials, not Reese.

The play came after Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and drove against Nyara Sabally. CBS Sports reported that Reese used her shoulder to make room, Sabally was whistled for a foul and then went down in pain as Tempo medical staff attended to her.

With Sabally being checked, the broadcast captured Brondello objecting to the call. She could be heard saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species,” while addressing official Toni Patillo, according to CBS Sports.

Reese responded after the game on social media, tagging Brondello’s account and writing, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” with a clown emoji. On the court, Reese finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals while shooting 7 of 11 from the field, according to CBS Sports.

Brondello says her words put focus on Reese

Brondello posted an apology Saturday morning, saying she used language she should not have used “in the emotion of the moment after Nyara’s injury.”

“I take full responsibility for that,” Brondello wrote in the statement. “My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you.”

Brondello also wrote that she understood the comment had an impact beyond her intent, “particularly for Black women in our league,” and apologized to Reese, her teammates and the Dream organization.

The Tempo coach said she respected Reese “as both a player and a person.”

An Australian sports phrase lands in a tense WNBA moment

CBS Sports noted that Brondello is Australian and that “protected species” is used in Australian sports coverage to suggest that a player or team receives favorable treatment. The report cited examples from the Sydney Morning Herald and 7News Australia using the phrase in rugby league and Australian rules football coverage.

Brondello, a longtime figure in Australian basketball, is in her 14th season as a WNBA head coach. CBS Sports reported that she has 269 career wins, two WNBA titles and a 2014 Coach of the Year award.

Before Friday’s game, Brondello had praised Reese’s rebounding and offensive development. In comments shared by reporter Savanna Hamilton on X, Brondello called Reese “crafty” and said her anticipation and positioning on the offensive glass were “elite.”

Reese was recently named an All-Star for the third time in three seasons. CBS Sports reported she is averaging career highs of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals for the fifth-place Dream, while leading the WNBA in rebounds.

Player harassment remains under scrutiny

The exchange comes as abuse directed at WNBA players has drawn growing attention. CBS Sports reported recent incidents involving death threats toward Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner after a Caitlin Clark incident, and a racist social media message sent to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray.

Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud told Front Office Sports this week that players have been subjected to racist and violent messages, and she called on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to take more action.

The Athletic reported that members of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association are scheduled to meet with Engelbert and league leadership Tuesday in New York to discuss the rise in harassment toward players.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.