July 19, 2026 — 1:52pmAustralian coach Sandy Brondello has been given a one-game suspension for calling an opposing player a “protected species” during a game on Saturday (AEST).Brondello, 57, is head coach of the Opals – Australia’s women’s basketball team – and the Toronto Tempo, an expansion team in North America’s Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).Sandy Brondello is head coach of the Australian Opals and the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo.Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe WNBA released a statement on Sunday morning (AEST) announcing that Brondello had been suspended without pay for one game for an “inappropriate comment” made about high-profile Atlanta Dream forward, Angel Reese.Brondello could be heard on the broadcast saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species” after a Tempo player, Nyara Sabally, was called for a defensive foul on Reese late in the game. Immediately after, Sabally was treated by the team’s medical staff for a rib injury and did not return to action. The Dream beat the Tempo 111-92.The phrase “protected species” is often used in an Australian sporting context when referring to players who are thought to get preferential treatment from match officials.The comment was picked up by users on X after the game before Reese herself shared a post and tagged Brondello in it. The user had written, “Calling a black woman a species ...” To which Reese wrote, “Are we surprised!?” and added a clown emoji.Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese shoots during a game against the Toronto Tempo in June. Getty ImagesReese is one of the WNBA’s most recognisable players and is the current league leader in rebounds per game.Brondello responded with her own post, which read: “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. 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. 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. I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologise to you, your teammates, and the Dream organisation for my comment.”The WNBA confirmed Brondello would serve the ban in the Tempo’s next match against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday (AEST) and added, “The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league.”Brondello’s comment and ban have been made during a time of heightened concern in the league regarding the racial vilification of black players. The league’s commissioner Cathy Engelbert and its most high-profile player Caitlin Clark both made public statements earlier this month when Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas was subjected to death threats and racial abuse online after she fouled Clark in a game on June 24.A man was also fired from his job at a Hilton Hotel this week after calling Aces’ guard Chelsea Gray a racial slur over Instagram direct message.Reese did not reply to Brondello’s apology but shared another post which wrote “so many girls can learn from how [Reese] stands up for herself.”Three-time championship-winning college basketball coach and three-time Olympic gold medallist, Dawn Staley shared Brondello’s post and added “a real apology”.Brondello was announced as head coach of the Tempo for their inaugural season this year. She has coached in the WNBA since 2005 and was a player in the league before that. She is one of just two WNBA coaches to win championships with different teams and is the only Australian coach in the league.During her time as a player for the Opals, Brondello competed at three Olympic Games – winning one bronze and two silver medals.News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.From our partners