Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello’s remark on Angel Reese got her suspended for one game without pay. The league may have thought their quick action, Brondello’s public apology, and Reese acknowledging it would put an end to the debate. However, their suspension garnered immediate pushback from many in the community, and now analyst Annie Costabile has highlighted that it’s become difficult to have a productive conversation about the chain of events.
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“It’s taken us to a dangerous place because it’s removed the ability for us to have meaningful conversations when mistakes are made,” Costabile said in the latest episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show.
“I think Sandy did a fantastic job of right away taking accountability for something, again, she didn’t intend to have this racial impact. She’s using a phrase that is common in Australian sports, but has a totally different meaning and historical context in America. And she recognized that mistake and addressed it. And that’s what I think was the most important thing here.”
In Australian sports lingo, the phrase “protected species” is used when a player is suspected of getting preferential treatment. This is also the reason why veterans like sports anchor Rob Parker have criticized the league’s decision.
“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,” Parker argued.
Meanwhile, following the outcry and the league’s decision, Tempo coach took to X and apologized directly to Angel Reese and the broader WNBA community.
“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,” Sandy Brondello wrote.
Reese, for her part, acknowledged this apology while also appreciating the league’s decision to take action.
“First, I appreciate Sandy’s apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I’ve had for the last 48 hours,” she said on Sunday. “I am grateful that the league did take action. There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone—from fans to coaches to players. And I’m just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball.”
With Sandy Brondello taking accountability and Angel Reese making it clear she was ready to move on, Costabile believes that’s exactly how these situations should be handled. In her view, mistakes should create room for meaningful conversations rather than endless outrage.