Former teammate steps up for WNBA coach amid ‘protected species’ uproar

When the Toronto Tempo fell 111‑92 to the Atlanta Dream, a heated exchange on the sidelines quickly turned into a media storm. After a foul was called on Angel Reese, head coach Sandy Brondello shouted, "Angel, she's a protected species!" The phrase—caught on the arena microphones—prompted a one‑game suspension from the WNBA.

Not long after, Tempo forward Temi Fagbenle took to her Threads account to question the league’s decision. In a post that referenced her former Indiana Fever teammate Caitlin Clark, Fagbenle wrote that the expression was merely a figure of speech and not something that warranted discipline.

"'Protected species' is a figure of speech and I see nothing suspension‑worthy about what @brondellosandy said," she typed. "The word 'species' is unfortunately loaded in today’s racially charged climate, but if the comment had been about CC—an apt comparison in terms of popularity—there would have been no outrage, now would there?"

Brondello issued an apology the next day, acknowledging that her words had a broader impact than intended, especially for Black women in the league. "My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you," she said, adding that she deeply respects Angel Reese and the community she represents.

Reese herself responded on X with a short, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” which only added fuel to the debate about whether the league’s disciplinary standards are consistent.

Fagbenle concluded her thread by calling the suspension “laughable,” sparking further discussion among fans about language, intent, and accountability in professional sports.

The incident has reignited conversations about how the WNBA navigates cultural sensitivity while also managing on‑court tempers. As the league moves forward, the balance between free expression and respectful communication remains a delicate, often contested, line.