WNBA Suspends Sandy Brondello 1 Game for Angel Reese 'Protected Species' Comment
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 18
WNBA Suspends Sandy Brondello 1 Game for Angel Reese 'Protected Species' Comment
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 18
Summary
One game without pay will sideline Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello after the WNBA punished her for calling Angel Reese a “protected species” during a sideline argument with an official Friday night.
The league said coaches and team personnel must meet standards of professionalism and respect, even though the phrase is used in Brondello’s native Australia to suggest a player is getting favorable treatment from referees.
Saturday’s apology from Brondello said the remark came in the “emotion of the moment” after Tempo forward Nyara Sabally was injured, and she accepted responsibility while directing the apology to Reese and Black women around the league.
Monday’s home game against defending champion Las Vegas will be the suspension date, extending scrutiny on officiating, player treatment and language in a league already sensitive to racial undertones.