What Happened Between Angel Reese, Coach Sandy Brondello, and the WNBA

The Big Picture (ELI5 Style)

Imagine you’re playing a game, and a coach on the other team says something about you that sounds really mean — even if they didn’t mean it that way. The league steps in and says, "Hey, that’s not okay," and gives the coach a timeout. That’s basically what happened in the WNBA recently!

What Exactly Happened?

• Angel Reese is a star player for the Atlanta Dream (a WNBA team).
• Sandy Brondello is the coach of the Toronto Tempo (a WNBA team) and is from Australia.
• During a game on Friday, the Tempo lost to the Dream (score: 112–92).
• After a player on Brondello’s team (Nyara Sabally) got hurt from contact with Reese, Brondello talked to the referees.
• Brondello used the phrase "protected species" when talking about Reese. Sabally had been called for a foul on that play.
• The WNBA said this was an "inappropriate comment" and gave Brondello a one-game suspension (she has to sit out one game).

How Everyone Reacted

Angel Reese

• After the game, Reese posted on X (formerly Twitter): "ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello" with a clown emoji.
• On Saturday, she thanked the WNBA and Coach Brondello:
  • She appreciated Brondello’s apology.
  • She felt overwhelmed by love and support in the last 48 hours.
  • She was grateful the league took action.
• She said: "There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone — from fans to coaches to players."
• Reese said it’s important to speak up: "If you want change, you have to speak on it. You don’t let things just slide."

Sandy Brondello

• She apologized on X on Saturday.
• She said she tried to reach out to Reese through the Dream’s general manager.
• Brondello explained:
  • The phrase is common in Australia and was said because she was emotional about her injured player.
  • It was NOT meant to be about Reese personally or racially.
  • She knows racism is a big issue in America and wishes she "took a breath."
• She said: "I know I’m not racist, so it’s a really unfortunate situation… I am truly sorry."

Important Point: The same words can mean different things in different countries! In Australia, "protected species" is sometimes used in sports to complain that a player gets special treatment from refs. But in the U.S., calling a Black person something that suggests they are "not human" has a hurtful, racist history.

Why Did the League Step In?

The WNBA suspended Brondello for one game (Monday vs. the Las Vegas Aces). The league said all players and staff must "uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect."

A Quick Timeline of Events

1. Friday: Tempo vs. Dream game; Sabally injured; Brondello says "protected species"; Reese posts on X.
2. Saturday: WNBA suspends Brondello one game; Brondello apologizes on X; Reese thanks league and coach.
3. Sunday: Brondello explains her side; Reese talks about using her voice.
4. Monday: Brondello serves suspension as Tempo plays Las Vegas Aces.

Summary

A WNBA coach from Australia used a phrase that is harmless in her home country but offensive in the U.S. The league suspended her for one game. Both Angel Reese and Coach Brondello agreed to move forward, with Reese stressing the need to speak up against hate and Brondello apologizing sincerely.

FAQ

Q: Who is Angel Reese?
A: She is a WNBA player for the Atlanta Dream, joined the league in 2024, and is going to her third All-Star Game next week.

Q: What does "suspended one game" mean?
A: It means the coach is not allowed to work or be on the bench for one of her team’s games as a penalty.

Q: Why was the phrase a problem if it’s normal in Australia?
A: Words have different histories. In the U.S., suggesting a Black person is "not human" connects to racist language from the past, so it hurts even if unplanned.

Q: Did Brondello mean to be racist?
A: She says no — she meant it as an emotional Australian sports saying about referees, not about Reese’s race. The league still said it was inappropriate.