​Jul. 13, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) competes against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The WNBA has had no shortage of heated storylines this season, with Caitlin Clark often at the center of national attention. But while the Indiana Fever star was part of a Friday night matchup that will likely be remembered for a long time, Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese also found herself involved in a controversial moment that quickly became a major talking point across the league.
The incident occurred late in the Atlanta Dream’s 111-92 victory, when Toronto Tempo forward Nyara Sabally appeared to injure her ribs during a collision with Reese. The play immediately drew concern because Sabally seemed to be in visible discomfort after the contact. However, the situation escalated beyond the injury itself when audio from the television broadcast appeared to pick up comments from Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello.
After the foul, Brondello could be heard referring to Reese as a “protected species,” a phrase that immediately caught the attention of fans watching the game. In the United States, the word “species” is not commonly used to describe a person, especially in a tense sports setting. Because of that, the comment created confusion and sparked instant debate online, with many wondering what Brondello meant and whether Reese interpreted the remark as offensive.
Angel Reese appeared to take issue with the comment after the game, and the moment quickly spread across social media. Some viewers suggested that Reese believed the phrase carried a racial undertone, while others argued that the comment may have been misunderstood because of Brondello’s background. Brondello is Australian, and certain expressions can carry different meanings depending on where they are used. In Australia, the term “species” can sometimes be used in a broader or more casual way to describe a type of person, player, or personality, rather than as a literal or dehumanizing insult.
That cultural difference became a major part of the discussion surrounding the Angel Reese and Sandy Brondello controversy. Some fans defended Brondello, saying she may have simply been criticizing the officiating and suggesting that Reese receives favorable treatment from referees because of her star status. In that context, “protected species” could have been intended to mean that Reese is treated like a player officials are especially careful with, rather than as a racially charged remark.
Still, the wording was undeniably awkward, especially during a heated WNBA game involving a high-profile player like Reese. Even if Brondello did not intend the comment to be offensive, the phrase landed poorly with many viewers. In American sports culture, coaches and players are often scrutinized closely for their language, particularly when comments involve race, identity, or perceived preferential treatment from officials.
Others were less willing to give Brondello the benefit of the doubt. Critics argued that the phrase sounded inappropriate regardless of her nationality and questioned whether it should be brushed aside as merely an Australian expression. Some fans also pointed out that intent and impact are not always the same, meaning a comment can still offend even if the person who said it did not mean harm.
For Reese, the moment adds another layer to what has already been an intense WNBA season. The Atlanta Dream forward is one of the league’s most visible players and is frequently at the center of physical matchups, emotional reactions, and national conversation. Her presence on the court naturally draws attention, and this incident will likely be remembered the next time the Dream face the Toronto Tempo.
As of now, it is unclear whether the WNBA will review the matter or open any type of investigation into Brondello’s comment. Brondello has not offered a detailed public response to the controversy, aside from expressing hope that Nyara Sabally is okay after the collision.
The situation is another example of how quickly a single phrase can dominate the conversation in the WNBA. Between Angel Reese’s reaction, Sandy Brondello’s wording, Sabally’s injury scare, and the Atlanta Dream’s lopsided win over the Toronto Tempo, the game produced one of the league’s most talked-about moments of the season.