WNBA Coach Faces Backlash Over Comments on Angel Reese

WHO:

NY Post - Sandy Brondello is the head coach of the Atlanta Dream.

Fox News - Angel Reese is a player for the WNBA.

WHAT:

ESPN - Sandy Brondello stated, "I take full responsibility for that," in her apology to Angel Reese.

ESPN - Brondello expressed that her frustration was with the officiating, but her words "unfairly put the focus on you."

ESPN - Angel Reese posted afterward, "ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello" with a clown face emoji.

ESPN - The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the players' union declined comment.

ESPN - Sandy Brondello stated, "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."

ESPN - Brondello expressed, "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."

ESPN - Brondello is in her first season with the Tempo after spending eight seasons at the helm of the Phoenix Mercury and four with the New York Liberty.

ESPN - Brondello is one of three current head coaches in the WNBA to have won a championship.

ESPN - Angel Reese has been a polarizing figure since joining the league and has dealt with a variety of vitriol from online commentators.

Fox News - Sandy Brondello's hot mic incident occurred during the Toronto Tempo's loss to the Atlanta Dream, where she referred to Angel Reese as a "protected species" after a foul call.

ESPN - The Toronto Tempo lost to the Atlanta Dream with a score of 111-92.

ESPN - Brondello stated, "I take full responsibility for that," in her apology to Angel Reese.

ESPN - Sandy Brondello stated, "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."

ESPN - Brondello added, "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."

ESPN - The incident will be discussed during a previously scheduled meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week.

Fox News - Sandy Brondello's suspension will take effect for the next game following the incident.

ESPN - Brondello stated, "I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply."

ESPN - Brondello has coached the Australian national team since 2017.

ESPN - Sandy Brondello apologized to Angel Reese on social media, stating, "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."

ESPN - Brondello expressed that her frustration was with the officiating, but her words "unfairly put the focus on you."

ESPN - Brondello stated, "I've spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women."

ESPN - Brondello is in her first season with the Tempo after spending eight seasons at the helm of the Phoenix Mercury and four with the New York Liberty.

ESPN - Angel Reese will play in her third All-Star Game next week.

Sportskeeda - The WNBA issued a one-game suspension to Sandy Brondello for her "inappropriate comment" about Angel Reese during the game against the Atlanta Dream.

Fox News - Sandy Brondello has been suspended by the WNBA for her "protected species" comment about Angel Reese.

ESPN - Sandy Brondello stated, "My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you," in her apology to Angel Reese.

ESPN - The Atlanta Dream won the game against the Toronto Tempo with a score of 111-92.

ESPN - Sandy Brondello has coached the Australian national team since 2017.

ESPN - Brondello is in her first season with the Tempo after coaching the Phoenix Mercury for eight seasons and the New York Liberty for four seasons.

ESPN - Brondello is one of three current head coaches in the WNBA to have won a championship.

ESPN - Sandy Brondello apologized to Angel Reese on social media, stating, "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."

ESPN - Brondello expressed regret, saying, "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."

ESPN - Brondello stated, "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."

NY Post - Sandy Brondello apologized for her comments about Angel Reese.

Fox News - Brondello referred to Angel Reese as a "protected species" during a hot mic incident.

WHERE:

Fox News - The incident occurred during a game involving the Atlanta Dream.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - The suspension will take effect for the next game following the incident.

Fox News - The comment was made during a game on a Friday.

WHY:

ESPN - Multiple native Australians explained that the phrase "protected species" has been used in Australian sports environments to express frustration over a lack of calls against a player, indicating that the player is treated or officiated differently than others.

ESPN - The phrase "protected species" has a history of derogatory use in American culture, particularly toward Black individuals.

Fox News Sports - The suspension was a response to the backlash and controversy surrounding Brondello's comments, which were deemed inappropriate by the league.

ESPN - The phrase "protected species" has been used in Australian sports to express frustration over officiating, indicating a player is treated differently than others.

Fox News - The comment sparked outrage and a racial debate across the WNBA community.

HOW:

ESPN - The incident will be discussed during a previously scheduled meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week.

ESPN - The league did not respond immediately to a request for comment regarding the incident.

ESPN - The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the players' union declined comment.

ESPN - The incident will be discussed during a meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week.

ESPN - The incident will be discussed during a previously scheduled meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week.

Fox News - The comment was captured by a hot mic during the game.

Sandy Brondello has publicly apologized to Angel Reese, stating, "I take full responsibility for that," while also expressing her frustration with the officiating but acknowledging that her comments "unfairly put the focus on you." In response, Angel Reese posted a message on social media saying, "ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello," accompanied by a clown face emoji. This incident will be a topic of discussion during a meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert scheduled for next week.