Brondello apologizes to Reese over 'protected species'
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- Sandy Brondello posted a public apology on social media Saturday, telling Reese "I used a phrase that I shouldn't have used" and saying her frustration was with the officiating, not Reese personally
- The incident occurred during Atlanta's 111-92 win over Toronto on Friday, when the broadcast picked up Brondello's comment after teammate Nyara Sabally went down with an injury following contact between Sabally and Reese — Sabally was called for the foul
- Angel Reese responded on social media after the game with "ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello" alongside a clown face emoji
- Brondello's apology specifically named "Black women in our league" as those harmed, writing "my words carried an impact beyond what I intended, particularly for Black women in our league, and I'm deeply sorry for that"
- Multiple native Australians told ESPN that "protected species" is a common Australian sports expression for a player who receives favorable officiating — a usage the source contrasts with the phrase's history of derogatory use toward Black people in American culture
- A person with knowledge told ESPN the incident will be discussed at a previously scheduled meeting between players and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert next week
- Brondello is in her first season with the Tempo after eight seasons coaching the Phoenix Mercury and four with the New York Liberty; Reese is set to play in her third All-Star game next week
Why it matters: Brondello's apology explicitly named "Black women in our league" as those harmed, and a source confirmed the incident is already on the agenda for next week's players-commissioner meeting — giving the players' union a concrete platform to press Engelbert for a response on officiating standards and cross-cultural conduct in a league where Reese has drawn disproportionate online abuse.
