Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was “suspended by the WNBA without pay for one game Saturday for ‘an inappropriate comment she made’” regarding Dream F Angel Reese. Brondello “could be heard referring to Reese with a phrase that sounded like ‘protected species.’” Brondello “apologized to Reese via social media Saturday, saying she takes ‘full responsibility’ for using the phrase.” In a social media post Brondello said, “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.” A source said that the incident “will be discussed during a previously scheduled meeting” between players and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week (ESPN.com, 7/18).
Brondello is an Australian native and the phrase is “commonly used in Australian sport to refer to athletes who get favourable calls.” However, put in an “American context it was taken to have a derogatory use, particularly given Reese is black” (FOXSPORTS.com.au, 7/19).
