07/18/26 06:18:00
Printable Page
07/18 18:16 CDT Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello suspended 1 game after
inappropriate comment
Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello suspended 1 game after inappropriate comment
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was suspended for one game by the WNBA for
an inappropriate comment she used during a game against the Atlanta Dream on
Friday.
She'll miss Monday's game against the Las Vegas Aces.
"The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest
standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league,"
the league said Saturday in a statement announcing the suspension.
During the 111-92 loss to the Dream, the broadcast picked up the Tempo's coach
addressing officials after Toronto player Nyara Sabally went down with an
injury after contact with Angel Reese. Sabally was called for the foul and
Brondello could be heard saying Reese was a "protected species."
Brondello posted an apology on social media on Saturday.
"Angel, I'm sorry," Brondello said. "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."
Reese took to social media after the game, posting: "ARE WE SURPRISED?!" and
tagging Brondello's account, followed by a clown face emoji.
"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,"
Brondello posted. "I've spent my career competing with, coaching and learning
from incredible Black women."
The coach 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."
Brondello, who is in her first season with the expansion Tempo, is Australian.
The "protected species" phrase is used in Australian sports to express
frustration for a lack of calls against a player. However, in the U.S., the
phrase suggests that someone isn't human and could be seen as derogatory toward
Black people.
Brondello has been a head coach in the league since 2014, winning titles with
Phoenix and New York.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
|
