John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images / Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Chasity Melvin defends Sandy Brondello amid spat with Angel Reese.
Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello found herself in a controversial dispute with Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese over the weekend. Comments made about preferential treatment were dubbed discriminatory. Brondello will now serve a one-game suspension.
Brondello apologized for her remarks. A former WNBA player and colleague has now come to her defense.
ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello 🤡 https://t.co/moNbYdDYo3
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 18, 2026
Chasity Melvin says Brondello is not a racist. While she understands the backlash, she does not believe the comments were fueled by hate.
What did Sandy Brondello say about Angel Reese?
What did Sandy Brondello just call Angel Reese bro?
A ticking species?
Out of line pic.twitter.com/cq3xoxotIu
— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) July 18, 2026
Brondello disagreed with a foul call in the Tempo’s 111-92 loss to Atlanta last week. Audio caught her calling Reese a “protected species” while arguing with officials on the sidelines.
On the surface, it could be interpreted as derogatory. Brondello insists it wasn’t.
Sandy Brondello said she reached out to Angel Reese immediately after the game. Here is Brondello’s full statement on being suspended and the backlash surrounding her comments during the Dream v Tempo game https://t.co/TQmO1t4I6F pic.twitter.com/o36ck7pAPp
— Hoop There It Is (@HoopThereItIs__) July 19, 2026
“Protected species” is a common phrase in Australia, where Brondello is from. It is used to describe preferential treatment from officials. Brondello believes referees are overly protective of Angel Reese. In the US, there is a different connotation.
While she did apologize, she also acknowledged a mistake. Phrases don’t always translate from country to country. Brondello admitted that the wording was unfortunate.
Reese doubled down on potential racial motivation after the apology.
“I appreciate Sandy’s apology,” she said in a recent media appearance. “I’m grateful that the league did take action… There’s no place for discrimination or hate in this league.”
Angel Reese’s statement on Sandy Brondello’s apology:
(🎥 via @_MalikATL)pic.twitter.com/w5x6RkklX7
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) July 19, 2026
Chasity Melvin defends Sandy Brondello.
The “protected species” comment made immediate headlines. The WNBA handed down a one-game suspension as a result.
Melvin played 12 years as a pro. She also coached under Brondello on the 2021 Phoenix Mercury staff. She took to social media to back her former co-worker.
I know Sandy, I’ve been on her staff. She gave a genuine apology and I know she feels bad for reverting back to her Australian dialect with that saying. I can also see how Angel felt this was very derogatory. However, Sandy Brondello isn’t a racist.
Brondello is ready to move on from the incident. She has a supporter in Melvin. The coach will not be on the sidelines when the Tempo take on Las Vegas this Monday.