Sandy Brondello Apologizes to Angel Reese for Using Language 'That I Shouldn't Have Used'

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello apologized Saturday for a term she used when referencing Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese during Friday night's game.

According to SI.com's Grant Young, Brondello was heard telling a referee, "Angel, she's a protected species," amid her frustration over how Reese was being officiated during the Dream's 111-92 win.

A user on X took issue with Brondello calling a Black woman a "protected species," to which Reese replied, "Are we surprised?!"

Brondello, who is white, apologized for her words in a series of social media posts on Saturday.

Reese continued her excellent run of play on Friday, finishing second on the team with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

In her first season with the Dream following a trade from the Chicago Sky, Reese is averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game, plus 11.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals.

Named an All-Star for the third time in her three-year WNBA career, Reese has helped the Dream get off to a 15-10 start, which is tied for first place in the Eastern Conference and fifth place in the WNBA.

Brondello's Tempo, who are an expansion team playing in their first WNBA season, dropped to 10-15 with Friday's loss, placing them fifth in the East and 11th in the WNBA.