Caitlin Clark’s former teammate calls out WNBA for suspending Tempo head coach over ‘protected species’ remark

Toronto Tempo center Temi Fagbenle went to bat for Sandy Brondello on Saturday after the head coach was suspended for the “protected species” remark made about Angel Reese.

The comment was made during the Tempo’s 111-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Friday night. Toronto’s Nyara Sabally was called for a foul on Reese after an offensive rebound. As the call was being reviewed, Brondello yelled at the referees. Microphones picked her up saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species!”

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Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle locks out Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wash. (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)

Reese reacted on X, saying “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” The WNBA then issued a one-game suspension.

Fagbenle reacted to the suspension in a post on her Threads account and invoked Caitlin Clark, her former teammate when she was with the Indiana Fever.

“’Protected species’ is a figure of speech and I see nothing suspension-worthy with what @brondellosandy said,” Fagbenle wrote. “‘Species’ is the unfortunate and touchy word of this well-known phrase especially in the US’ racially charged climate, but if she was saying it about CC (an appropriate comparison re popularity) there would be no outrage, now would there.

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Temi Fagbenle of the Toronto Tempo shoots from the line during the second quarter against the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on June 22, 2026. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

“Suspension is laughable.”

Brondello issued an apology over the remark.

“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. My frustration was with the officiating, but my words unfairly put the focus on you,” she said in a statement.

“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,” she continued. “I’ve spent my career competing with, coaching and learning from incredible Black women.

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello looks on against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., on May 27, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Reuters)

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“I regret that my words caused hurt to a community I respect so deeply,” Brondello added. “I have a lot of respect for you as both a player and a person, and I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates, and the Dream organization for my comment.”

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.