Angel Reese called 'species' by WNBA coach, prompting blowback and apology

During Friday's matchup between the Atlanta Dream and Toronto Tempo, Dream forward Angel Reese was called a "protected species" by Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello.

Toronto's Nyara Sabally was injured during a collision with Reese, and those were the words Brondello used to refer to Reese's standing in the WNBA.

The phrase caught attention on social media. Reese hadn't known about the comment during the game, but she saw it afterward.

As an initial response, this is what Reese posted on X:

ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello 🤡 https://t.co/moNbYdDYo3

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That term "species" received a lot of backlash for the negative racial undertones involving Reese, a Black woman. Brondello is Australian.

Brondello caught wind of the pushback and went on social media herself to issue an apology.

"Angel, I'm sorry," Brondello wrote on X. "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. 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."

Reese has not yet responded to the follow-up from Brondello.

On Saturday after Brondello shared her apology, Reese did make this post on X:

🖤 https://t.co/aGiZ0IK6m9

Reese had gotten the better of the Tempo on the court in a 111-92 win. She had 23 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.

Brondello is a long-time WNBA coach, previously with the New York Liberty before taking over the expansion Tempo.

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