Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has been handed a one-game suspension by the WNBA for a two-word comment made about Angel Reese. During the Atlanta Dream’s 111-92 win over the Tempo on Friday night, Brondello was picked up by the microphones saying that Reese was a “protected species.”Tempo HC Sandy Brondello has been suspended by the WNBA for one gameGettyThe incident came after Toronto’s Nyara Sabally was deemed to have fouled Reese after an offensive rebound. In the Dream’s road win, Reese – who is deemed one of the league’s most polarizing figures – posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, ultimately notching her 17th double-double of the season in just 24 outings. After the game, Reese posted to X, “”ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello” with a clown face emoji, in response. Brondello hails from Australia, and has coached their national team since 2017. View Tweet: https://t.co/raMG5NcBXuThat context is important as the phrase “protected species” is commonly used in Australian sports environments when expressing frustration over a particular player being treated or officiated differently from others. However, in American culture, it is viewed as a much more derogatory term.“The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league,” a league statement insisted.Brondello issues public apology to ReeseThe 57-year-old Tempo coach, in her first season with one of the league’s latest expansion teams, took to social media to issue an apology to Reese. “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,” she wrote on X on Saturday.“My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you. “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.Reese hit out at Brondello on social media after the gameGettyBrondello issued an apology to Reese on social mediaGetty“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.”Brondello will serve her suspension on Monday when Toronto hosts the reigning champions Las Vegas Aces.According to ESPN, the incident will be discussed further at a previously scheduled meeting between players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week. Brondello played in the WNBA from 1998-2003, suiting up for the Detroit Shock, Miami Sol and Seattle Storm, before joining the San Antonio Silver Stars (now the Aces), where she served as an assistant coach and started her career. After spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks as an assistant, the Australian became the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury in 2014, where she led them to the WNBA championship in her first season and earned the Coach of the Year award. She spent eight seasons in Phoenix, before joining the New York Liberty in 2022, winning her second WNBA championship in 2024. Stay up to date on all things WNBA across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.