Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended one game for her comment about Angel Reese that broadcast mics picked up in a video that went viral from Friday’s game against the Atlanta Dream.
The clip, which picks up the moment after Tempo forward Nyara Sabally was injured and was whistled for a foul following contact with Reese, catches Brondello as she appears to say “Angel, she’s a protected species.”
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Several people have come out in defense of Brondello, a native of Australia, where “protected species” is said to be a common sports term used to describe someone who gets preferential treatment. But Brondello herself apologized for the phrase, which can have a racist connotation in the U.S. The WNBA took action too.
Why did the WNBA suspend Sandy Brondello?
In a statement, the WNBA said it suspended Brondello for an “inappropriate comment” regarding Reese.
“The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league.”
Though a fine would have sufficed, the league was right to issue some type of punishment. If a non-Australian coach said the same thing, they wouldn’t get the benefit of it being a common sports term. It’s only fair the WNBA holds Brondello to the same standard.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: What did the WNBA say about suspending Sandy Brondello for her Angel Reese comment?
