WNBA Suspends Toronto Tempo Coach for One Game After Comment on Angel Reese and Officiating

The WNBA handed Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello a one-game unpaid suspension on Saturday for comments made during Friday's loss to the Atlanta Dream. The call came after Brondello used the phrase "protected species" in reference to forward Angel Reese in the fourth quarter of Atlanta's 111-92 victory in Toronto, and Brondello will miss Monday's matchup against the Las Vegas Aces.

With 3:16 remaining and Atlanta leading 98-86, Toronto forward Nyara Sabally drew a personal foul call as Reese drove to the basket. Reese fell to the floor in pain and received attention from medical staff. Angel Reese posted on X that evening, writing "ARE WE SURPRISED" with a clown face emoji and tagging Brondello.

Brondello posted a public apology on X the following day. "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," she wrote. She added that she regretted causing hurt to a community she respects and apologized to Reese, her teammates and the Dream organization.

Reese finished the game with 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. She is averaging 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game this season. Brondello is in her first season with Toronto after eight years with the Phoenix Mercury and four with the New York Liberty.