As the defending champions, the Liberty entered the 2025 season as one of the top contenders in the league. They got off to a hot start, winning their first nine games. Injuries derailed the rest of the season, causing the Liberty to finish with a somewhat disappointing 27-17 record and the fifth seed. The Phoenix Mercury eliminated New York in the first round of the playoffs, cutting short its quest to repeat as WNBA champions.
Shortly after the team’s playoff exit, the Liberty’s front office decided not to renew Sandy Brondello’s contract—a decision that GM Jonathan Kolb explained with a need for innovation and that many fans found baffling nonetheless. After all, Brondello had just coached the team to a championship in 2024 and was the winningest coach in franchise history.
For Brondello, the decision wasn’t as surprising. “I just felt that probably it wasn’t the right fit anymore to be quite honest,” Brondello said when she appeared on Sue Bird’s podcast Bird’s Eye View.
The Liberty haven’t hired a new coach yet
The head coaching position in New York hasn’t been filled yet, as the organization is taking its time with the decision, and rightfully so. Replacing a championship coach is no easy task. The fit between the Liberty and Brondello may not have been right anymore, but whoever replaces Brondello still has big shoes to fill. Kolb expects the big three of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones to be back in New York for the next season. If that is the case, the head coaching job comes with a lot of pressure to win right away.
The Liberty are reportedly focused on coaches with NBA and/or G League experience, and the pool of candidates includes Mercury assistant Kristi Toliver and former top WNBA Draft pick Lindsey Harding.
Sandy Brondello has an exciting new opportunity in Toronto
After her Liberty exit, Brondello reportedly had several options for a new position. The Dallas Wings would have liked Brondello to coach Paige Bueckers and the team’s young core. The Seattle Storm also could have used an experienced coach.
However, Brondello chose a completely new opportunity with the Toronto Tempo. Joining an expansion franchise gives Brondello the chance to build a team from the ground up and define the early years of WNBA play in Canada.
Expansion teams often struggle in their early years. That might be an adjustment for Brondello, who coached star-studded championship contenders at her two previous stops. It is also a completely new challenge, though, that Brondello likely welcomed after achieving everything she did in Phoenix and New York.