Sandy Brondello’s statement about Angel Reese has received divided opinions from fans. While some believed that the coach’s phrase had a racial meaning, others were of the opinion that it was common Australian slang. Amid the controversy, the Toronto Tempo coach apologized to the player. The coach also addressed the issue after the team’s practice session.
In the fourth quarter of the Atlanta Dream’s Friday game against the Toronto Tempo, the two teams were in an intense battle when Reese and Nyara Sabally banged into each other. Although the referee deemed it a defensive foul on Sabally, the coach, who is white, strongly expressed her disagreement, and the mic recorded her calling Reese, who is Black, a “protected species.”
The comment went viral, leading the league to investigate and suspend Brondello for one game. She addressed the issue after the team’s practice on Sunday:
“I want to apologize whenever Angel’s ready. I have reached out to their organization and in A very sincere way because I never want that to happen to anyone. I felt mad at myself because I am a part of the solution, not the problem. HOPEFULLY, we have that chat, and she gets to know me and my heart.”
Reese, on the other hand, shared a cryptic post earlier after the coach’s statement.
The coach also said that anybody in the league would vouch for her off-court personality and that she was not a racist. She added that she apologized to the Atlanta team and the player first, but the phrase was commonly used slang in Australia. For now, Brondello will not be present in the team’s next game against the Las Vegas Aces on Monday.
Angel Reese addresses Sandy Brondello’s apology
Angel Reese talked with the media about Sandy Brondello’s apology to the center after the team’s practice session on Sunday:
“I appreciate Sandy’s apology. … But I am grateful that the league did take action.”
Regardless of the off-court controversy, the Dream (16-10) was happy to register its third consecutive win and fourth in five games, beating Reese’s former team, the Chicago Sky, 93-91 on Sunday.
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