A hot mic captured Sandy Brondello calling Angel Reese a 'protected species' during Friday's Atlanta Dream win, sparking a fiery exchange on social media.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti becomes unstoppable thanks to latest development on recruiting trailKristin Cavallari gets rave reviews for her first pitch at Cubs game, 7'6 15-year-old basketball player & MEATArgentina's controversial World Cup banner got into the stadium by way of some dude's underwearSomeone brought a very fitting item for Florida Gators legend Tim Tebow to autographBryson DeChambeau flips out on rules officials before being assessed two-stroke penalty at Open ChampionshipSpain and Argentina will play for first-ever World Cup rings, which fans will even be able to buyBritish Open TV blunder leaves golf fans fuming, Hooters Gianna hits the beach & Sophie Cunningham vs Big TechPadres vs. Royals pitching matchup favors the under 10.5 as the second-half of the MLB season startsPopular golf influencer reveals wild story of fan who got her autograph tattooed on his armSage Steele: WNBA mishandling generational talent Caitlin Clark Host of 'The Sage Steele Show' Sage Steele asserts the WNBA is mishandling generational talent Caitlin Clark.
Steele critiques the league's consistently poor officiating, which has led to numerous uncalled fouls against Clark and other players this season. She stresses that this continued neglect risks losing the WNBA's growing fanbase.head coach Sandy Brondello has issued an apology to Angel Reese after the internet — and Reese — accused her of using a racist term during Friday's game.
Late in the fourth quarter of Atlanta's eventual 111-92 win, Reese and Tempo forward Nyara Sabally collided, with Sabally suffering a rib injury but ultimately being called for a shooting foul. She eventually had to be helped off the court. While she was still down, Brondello came over to plead her case to the officials, and a hot mic picked up part of the conversation.
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese talks with game official Tiara Cruse after a play against the Toronto Tempo during the second half at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesReese later called her out via X, responding to a post that accused Brondello of calling"a Black woman a species" by saying,"ARE WE SURPRISED?!
" while also tagging Brondello in the post. "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," Brondello said Saturday afternoon in a lengthy social media post.
"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.
"Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello looks on against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. , on May 27, 2026. No, Sandy Brondello didn't have to apologize. What world are we living in here?
Calling someone a"protected species" is not racist. LeBron James is a protected species. Obviously, Brondello met that certain players get certain calls. Duh.
She didn't reinvent the wheel with this term, folks. Coaches and players have been accusing other players of getting preferential treatment for DECADES now. That's what this term means, and everyone knows it. Above all, Brondello knows it.
Yet, she chose to bend the knee to the mob because Angel Reese posted about it and peddled a dangerous claim. A false claim. Here's the bottom line: Angel Reese is black, and the internet has selective hearing. So, someone posts — out of context, mind you — that she was called a"species," and then Reese peddles the narrative by reposting it with a sarcastic comment and a clown emoji.
Please follow us on Google to support usWnba Atlanta Dream Angel Reese Toronto Tempo
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WNBA postpones game between Wings and Liberty due to mechanical issues with planeThe WNBA postponed the New York Liberty-Dallas Wings game on Thursday after mechanical issues with the Liberty's charter flight stranded the team on the tarmac.
Read more »
Dream vs. Tempo Prediction, Odds, Best WNBA Prop Bet for Friday, July 17The Toronto Tempo have come back to earth after a fast start to the season, winning three of their last seven games to fall out of the top eight in the league.
Read more »
Sun vs. Mercury Prediction, Odds, Best WNBA Prop Bet for Friday, July 17Kahleah Copper and the Phoenix Mercury have dropped four games in a row and look nothing like the team that made the WNBA Finals in the 2025 season. Phoenix is
Read more »
Angel Reese dangerously peddles racist conspiracy theory after WNBA coach calls her two wordsA hot mic captured Sandy Brondello calling Angel Reese a 'protected species' after a foul call, igniting a fiery racial debate across the WNBA world.
Read more »