Sandy Brondello suspended for one game over comment during Atlanta Dream defeat

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended for one game without pay by the WNBA after making what the league described as an "inappropriate comment" during Friday's 111-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream.

In a statement on Saturday, the WNBA said: "The WNBA expects all coaches and team personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect that are fundamental to our league."

The incident occurred after Tempo forward Nyara Sabally went down injured following contact with Atlanta's Angel Reese.

Sabally was called for the foul, while television microphones appeared to capture Brondello telling officials: "Angel, she's a protected species."

Reese responded on social media after the game, posting: "ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello" alongside a clown-face emoji.

Brondello later apologised, explaining that the phrase is commonly used in Australian sport to criticise officiating rather than target a player.

However, she acknowledged that the remark carried a different meaning in the United States.

"Angel, I'm sorry. Last night, in the emotion of the moment after Nyara's injury, I used a phrase that I shouldn't have used, and I take full responsibility for that," Brondello wrote on X.

"My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you."

She added: "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."

Brondello, a two-time WNBA championship-winning coach in her first season with Toronto, will miss Monday's game against the Las Vegas Aces.