The debate on Sandy Brondello’s “protected species” remark directed at Angel Reese is still raging. The W suspended the Toronto Tempo head coach for one game; she issued a public apology, and even Reese acknowledged it. Brondello maintained that she did not intend to discriminate. “It’s a statement that’s very common in Australia, it wasn’t directed at Angel,” she wrote. However, for three-time WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes, that Australian context does not count.

“So this protected species thing. I know what everybody is saying, what it means in Australia. At the end of the day, you’re not in Australia. You are in a league. You’re the head coach of a team in a league of predominantly black women. So you have to be very mindful of your position.” Swoopes said in conversation with The Women’s Hoops Show host, Jordan Robinson.

“I don’t care what happened. I don’t care where you’re from. You can’t say things like that. And then, yes, she came, and she issued an apology. And I know she’s saying, you know, I’m part of the solution, not the problem. But the comment she made in the heat of the moment, it’s out there for the world to see now.”

Brondello made the statement during Toronto’s 111-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Friday. Tempo forward Nyara Sabally suffered a painful rib injury during a physical collision under the basket with Angel Reese. However, the resulting call went against Sabally, sparking a heated reaction from Brondello. However, even the coach agreed with Swoopes.

“It was just unfortunate. I was pretty emotional with Nyara, her being injured again. I made a comment that, Australians, we say all the time. Unfortunately, I should have took a breath and realized where I am in America,” admitted the coach.

Meanwhile, for Sheryl Swoopes, the issue goes beyond her admiration for Angel Reese as a person. Calling out situations like this is something she considers a responsibility, particularly when it comes to supporting and protecting young Black players who, according to her, continue to face hostility and abuse.

At the end of the day, alongside the suspension and apology that followed, Angel Reese herself has addressed the matter. Although she initially reacted on social media with a clown emoji, she has now formally accepted Brondello’s apology. She has also voiced appreciation for the disciplinary action the WNBA took.

However, despite Reese urging everyone to put the issue to rest and move forward, it seems the community isn’t done debating the issue yet. The WNBA pioneer is among the many voices, like analysts Rob Parker, Annie Costabile, and more, who have spoken about the incident. Meanwhile, coach Brondello has served her one-game suspension and will return in their upcoming game against league leaders Minnesota Lynx.