WNBA coach Brondello suspended for inappropriate comments about Angel Reese | Basketball

Brondello has been suspended after calling Reese a ‘protected animal’ during the Toronto Tempo’s game against the Atlanta Dream.

Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended for one game by the WNBA for inappropriate comments she used during Friday’s game against the Atlanta Dream.

“The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the professionalism and courtesy that are the core values ​​of our league,” the league said Saturday in a statement announcing the suspension.

He will miss Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.

During the 111-92 loss to the Dream, the station caught the Tempo coach talking to officials after Toronto forward Nyara Sabally was injured after a collision with Angel Reese. Sabally was called out for the crime and Brondello heard that Reese was a “protected animal”.

Brondello apologized Saturday on social media.

“Angel, I’m sorry,” Brondello said. “Last night, when I heard about Nyara’s injury, I used words that I shouldn’t have used, and I take full responsibility for that.

Reese took to social media after the game, writing: “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” and enter Brondello’s account, followed by a funny face emoji.

“I also understand that my words affected more than I intended, especially the black women in our league, and I am deeply sorry,” Brondello said.

“I’ve been competing, training and learning from amazing black women.”

The coach added: “I am sorry that my words offended the community that I respect so much. I respect you as a player and as a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, my teammates, and the Dream Organization for my comment.”

Brondello, who is in his first season with Tempo Plus, is from Australia. The term “protected animals” is used in Australian sports to express frustration at the lack of calls against players. However, in the US, this term implies that someone is not human and can be seen as insulting to black people.

Brondello has been a major league coach since 2014, winning titles with Phoenix and New York.