Sandy Brondello’s one-game suspension might have been intended to close the discussion on one of the latest WNBA controversies, especially after Angeel Reese herself urged everyone to move and even thanked the league for taking action. However, the conversation is far from over. Following the Toronto Tempo coach’s apology to Angel Reese, veteran journalist Rob Parker doesn’t agree with the W’s decision to punish her.
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“This is why I don’t partake in the WNBA. And I think that you can’t take this league seriously,” Rob Parker said during an appearance on his The Odd Couple with Rob Parker & Kelvin Washington show.
“The last thing you talk about, Kelvin, is basketball. Every day somebody’s feelings are hurt, or some coach has to be reprimanded, or some player has to be reprimanded about everything other than basketball. It is like, and I’m saying it, like some soap opera. And this is one of the issues that you have if you want women’s sports to be like the rest. Let’s be like the NBA or the NFL and all these other things.”
During the last game between the Atlanta Dream and the Tempo, Angel Reese drew a foul on Nyara Sabally after making hard contact with her elbow to the Tempo forward’s ribs, leading to a protest from Brondello, who was upset at the call. While Sabally was being looked at by medical staff, Brondello addressed officials.
“‘Angel, she’s a protected species.’ No, come on [official] Toni [Patillo]… that’s s***,” Brondello was heard saying.
The phrase ‘protected species’ is an Australian term used in sports to describe a player or a team that gets favored on calls. However, the phrase was misinterpreted by both listeners and Reese herself, who wrote, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” on social media afterward.
Brondello posted a lengthy apology after the video surfaced, and admitted that her words, though not intended, caused hurt for “Black women in our league, and I’m deeply sorry for that.”
“I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply,” she wrote. “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.”
Still, the WNBA’s decision to suspend the head coach felt like “soap opera” for Parker.
“Some bad reality TV show where it’s about the characters and their feelings. Basketball is just a backdrop, just something that they can say that they’re doing to even be able to air it… It’s so taxing. It’s so unappealing. It’s so over the top and filled with drama.”
However, Parker isn’t the only one who has vocally shown support for the suspended coach. Tempo center Temi Fagbenle and Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon have also supported Brondello.
“I just gave her a big hug when I saw her. I know that’s not where her heart is. I know her as a very, very high-quality person. Someone who’s filled with a lot of love for everyone,” Hammon explained.
Brondello’s suspension has clearly divided the WNBA world. As debate on what should’ve been done rages on, the Tempo head coach will look forward to being present when her team takes on the Minnesota Lynx next.