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SANDY BRONDELLO SUSPENDED ONE GAME
SHE SAID SOMETHING SHE SHOULDN’T HAVE. ANGEL REESE RESPONDED WITH GRACE.
Sandy Brondello. Photo via Brandon Todd/NY Liberty.
Sandy Brondello received a one-game suspension from the WNBA.
During the Toronto Tempo vs. Atlanta Dream matchup on July 17, Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello was overheard calling Dream star Angel Reese a “protected species.” The comment came after a foul was not called on a play in which Reese and Nyara Sabally made contact and ended with a Sabally injury.
The comment wasn’t heard in real time, but it made the rounds on social media shortly after the game ended. Once Reese saw it, she posted a comment criticizing Brondello and the story took off from there.
The morning after the game, Brondello reached out to the Dream organization to offer apologies for what she said to Reese. Later that day, Sandy shared her apology with the public:
“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. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you.”
You can read the full statement here.
Later that day, the WNBA announced that Brondello was to be suspended one game for her remark.
Prior to the Dream game against the Chicago Sky, Reese stated she appreciated Brondello’s apology and thanked everyone who offered words of support and encouragement to her throughout the weekend.
This was a challenging moment, but one that can be instructive if we let it be. Sandy Brondello said something that hurt Angel Reese, and she took full responsibility for it. Along with that, she’s working to build a bridge to right a wrong and work to be better next time. Mistakes don’t define you, but how you respond to it says a lot. For Brondello, she’s using this moment as a chance to make amends and learn something new. It’s something we can all try to do in our own lives as well when we make mistakes.