During the highly anticipated matchup between the Toronto Tempo and the Atlanta Dream, Sandy Brondello found herself at the center of backlash after a hot mic caught her referring to Angel Reese as a “protected species.” But after the Tempo head coach publicly apologized for her remarks, Dawn Staley made sure to acknowledge it with three simple words.

“A real apology,” the South Carolina Gamecocks head coach wrote.

When Brondello took to X, she admitted that she “used a phrase that (she) shouldn’t have used” during the emotional aftermath of Nyara Sabally’s rib injury, which came after a collision with Reese.

“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,” Brondello added.

Brondello is currently in her first season with the expansion Tempo after previously coaching the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty to WNBA championships. Due to her comments during the game, she has received a one-game suspension without pay from the league, which she will serve on Monday when Toronto hosts the Las Vegas Aces.

The phrase “protected species” is commonly used in Sandy Brondello’s native Australia as slang for someone perceived to receive preferential treatment. So, when a shooting foul was called on Sabally during her contact with Reese, Brondello used that phrase while arguing the call with officials.

But as she found out how her comment was being perceived, she added, “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.”

Now, while Sandy Brondello’s apology has drawn mixed reactions – with some viewing it as an appropriate acknowledgment of the impact her words carried and others arguing the phrase should be understood in the context of Australian slang – Angel Reese had already made her feelings clear.

Before the Tempo coach issued her statement, the Dream star, while replying to a fan comment, wrote, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” while tagging Brondello.

So whether Brondello’s statement puts the controversy to rest remains to be seen.