Sandy Brondello is facing some discipline.
The Toronto Tempo head coach has been suspended one game without pay for making an inappropriate comment about the Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese, the league announced on Saturday.
Brondello was caught on mic saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species” to referees after a play that left Tempo centre Nyara Sabally injured in the Tempo’s loss to the Dream on Friday.
A day later, Brondello apologized for her choice of words.
“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,” Brondello wrote on X.
“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 apologize to you, your teammates, and the Dream organization for my comment.”
–with files from The Canadian Press