The WNBA has suspended Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello for one game following an inappropriate comment made during Friday's matchup against the Atlanta Dream.
The league announced the suspension on Saturday, stating that Brondello will miss Monday's game against the Las Vegas Aces.
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"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 in a statement.
The incident occurred during Toronto's 111-92 loss, when a broadcast microphone captured Brondello referring to Atlanta's Angel Reese as a "protected species" after a foul call involving Tempo player Nyara Sabally.
Brondello issued a public apology on social media on Saturday, directly addressing Reese.
"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."
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The Australian coach explained that the phrase is commonly used in Australian sports to express frustration over officiating, but acknowledged its derogatory connotations in the United States, where it can imply someone is not human and has historically been used against Black individuals.
"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 added.
Reese reacted on social media after the game, tagging Brondello's account and posting a clown face emoji.
Brondello, who has coached in the WNBA since 2014 and won championships with Phoenix and New York, concluded her statement by expressing remorse toward Reese, her teammates, and the Dream organization.
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"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," she said.
