Tempo coach Sandy Brondello apologizes to Angel Reese for ‘protected species’ remark during loss to Dream

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello issued an apology on social media to Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese following a remark made on the sideline during the closing minutes of the Dream’s 111-92 win on Friday.

With 3:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, Toronto’s Nyara Sabally fouled Reese after an offensive rebound. The Tempo challenged the call, arguing that Reese had committed a hostile act by elbowing Sabally in the ribs. Sabally left the game during a timeout.

As the call was being reviewed, Brondello could be heard yelling at the referees. Microphones picked her up saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species!”

What Brondello meant by that was unclear. But when one social media user posted, “Calling a Black woman a species…” after the game, Reese quoted the message, writing, “ARE WE SURPRISED?” while tagging Brondello with a clown emoji.

Reese’s response suggested she viewed Brondello’s use of the word “species” as carrying racial undertones, though she did not explicitly state that interpretation.

However, it should be pointed out that Brondello is Australian. Some fans pointed out on social media that the term “protected species” in Australian sports vernacular is intended to refer to a player who receives preferential treatment from referees and officials during competition. For instance, in rugby.

Yet what a phrase means in Australia can have far different implications in other countries. Obviously, Reese believed Brondello’s remark meant something more hostile.

In issuing her apology, which was also reposted by the Tempo’s social media team, Brondello realized that what she meant was less important than how Reese viewed the term that was used.

“Angel, I’m sorry,” Brondello’s statement began. “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. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you.”

“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,” she continued. “I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.”

“I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply,” Brondello added. “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.”

As of Saturday afternoon, Reese — who finished Friday’s game with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals — had not responded directly to Brondello’s apology. Yet she did repost a tweet from a WNBA reporter praising Reese for standing up for herself.

In its first season, the expansion Tempo (10-15) has lost all three of its matchups versus the Dream (15-10). The two teams face each other once more during the 2026 regular season in a game scheduled for Aug. 10 and streaming nationally on Peacock.