Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese has publicly thanked the WNBA for suspending Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello after Brondello described Reese as a "protected species", with Reese saying she was "grateful" for the league's action and asserting there is "no place for discrimination or hate" in the WNBA. Reese made the comments ahead of the Dream's game against the Chicago Sky, framing Brondello's remark as discriminatory even though it went unmentioned that Brondello is Australian and that "protected species" is a commonly used expression in Australian sport to describe a player who receives favourable officiating treatment.

The row has divided opinion within the league: some, including a former Caitlin Clark teammate, have criticised the WNBA for suspending Brondello over the remark, while commentary elsewhere has accused the league of caving to pressure by taking action against the coach. The episode adds to a string of recent controversies involving Reese and Clark that have kept scrutiny on the WNBA's handling of player conduct and officiating disputes this season.