Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello apologized to Angel Reese on Saturday after using what could be interpreted as a derogatory phrase during a game against the Atlanta Dream on Friday.
“Angel, I’m so sorry,” Brondello wrote on social media. “Last night, in the excitement of Nyara’s injury, I said a phrase that I should not have used and I take full responsibility for that. My disappointment was with the judging, but my words unfairly focused attention on you.”
During the Dream’s 111–92 win over Tempo, the broadcast showed Brondello addressing the officials after Nyara Sabally went down with an injury following contact between her and Reese. Sabally was called for a foul, and Brondello was heard calling Reese what sounded like “protected look.”
Reese later wrote: “ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello” with a clown face emoji.
A person familiar with the situation told ESPN that the incident will be discussed during a previously scheduled meeting between players and commissioner Katie Engelbert next week.
The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the players union declined to comment.
Brondello is originally from Australia and has been coaching the national team since 2017. Many Indigenous Australians explained to ESPN that the phrase “protected species” is used in the Australian sporting environment to express disappointment over the lack of charges against a player because the player is treated or treated differently from others.
However, in American culture, the phrase indicating that someone is not human has a history of being derogatory towards black people.
Brondello also wrote: “I also understand that my words have had a greater impact than I realized, especially on black women in our league, and I deeply regret that. I have spent my career competing, coaching and learning from incredible black women.”
Brondello added: “I regret that my words caused pain to the community that I respect so deeply. “I have the utmost respect for you as a player and a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates and the Dream organization for my comment.”
Brondello is in his first season with Tempo after spending eight seasons at the helm of the Phoenix Mercury and four with the New York Liberty. She won championships with both and is one of three current head coaches to win a title.
Reese, who will play in her third All-Star Game next week, has become a controversial figure since joining the league and has faced plenty of vitriol from online commentators.