WNBA suspends Toronto Tempo coach for comment about Angel Reese

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello was suspended without pay for one game after she made a remark about Dream forward Angel Reese during Friday night’s 111-92 win. According to a report, Brondello told a referee, "Angel, she's a protected species," while expressing frustration over officiating decisions involving Reese. A user on the social media platform X criticized the comment, and Reese responded, "Are we surprised?!" Brondello, who is white, issued an apology in a series of social media posts on Saturday. Reese finished the game with 23 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists, marking her second-highest scoring effort of the season. In her first season with the Dream after a trade from the Chicago Sky, she is averaging a career-high 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Reese, a three-time All-Star, has helped the Dream achieve a 15-10 record, tying for first place in the Eastern Conference and ranking fifth league-wide.