Reese: ‘Appreciate’ Brondello’s apology for mid-game comment

Angel Reese has responded to Sandy Brondello’s apology.

The Atlanta Dream star said she appreciated the Toronto Tempo head coach’s apology after she was caught on a mic saying, “Angel, she’s a protected species” during a Friday game between the teams.

Brondello has since apologized and been suspended one game.

“First, I appreciate Sandy’s apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I’ve had for the last 48 hours. It has been very overwhelming with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action,” Reese said.

“There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone — from fans to coaches to players. And I’m just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball. The WNBA is supposed to be positive and we are going in a great light right now, so I just want to continue that and move forward.”

Brondello also addressed the media after Tempo practice on Sunday. She said she has reached out to the Dream organization asking to speak with Reese and apologize but hasn’t had the chance to speak with her yet.

“I felt mad myself because I’m part of the solution, not the problem,” Brondello said. “I hope we can have a chat and if she gets to know me and my heart, I think everyone else that I’ve coached in this league, they know that, and they know what I’m about, and you know, and I’ll try to you know be better as I move forward. I did make a mistake.”

Brondello will serve her one-game suspension on Monday when the Tempo host the Las Vegas Aces. Associate head coach Olaf Lange will step up in her place.