News Summary
The New York Liberty have announced they will not renew head coach Sandy Brondello’s contract after an early exit in the WNBA playoffs. Brondello, who led the team to a franchise-record overall record and a WNBA championship, leaves behind a lasting impact. The Liberty finished the 2025 season with key player injuries, resulting in a first-round playoff loss. The organization is now searching for a successor to continue building on her achievements as they prepare for the next season.
New York
The New York Liberty have announced that they will not renew the contract of head coach Sandy Brondello following an early exit in the WNBA playoffs. Brondello, who has been at the helm of the Liberty for four seasons, led the team to a franchise-record 107-53 overall record during her tenure. Under her guidance, the Liberty also celebrated their first WNBA championship in 2024 and made back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2023 and 2024.
The 2025 season proved challenging for the Liberty, largely due to injuries that impacted several key players, including Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu. Despite these adversities, the Liberty entered the playoffs as the No. 5 seed but were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Mercury.
Brondello’s Impact
Brondello finishes her Liberty career as the winningest coach in the franchise’s history. General Manager Jonathan Kolb acknowledged the enduring impact of Brondello’s leadership on the team and the accomplishments achieved during her tenure. Her departure from the Liberty contributes to a number of coaching vacancies in the WNBA, including those for expansion teams in Toronto and Portland.
Coaching Background
Before her tenure with the Liberty, Sandy Brondello coached the Phoenix Mercury, where she secured a championship in 2014. She began her head coaching career with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2010 after serving as an assistant coach for the Silver Stars and the Los Angeles Sparks. In her first season with the Silver Stars, she led the team to a playoff appearance despite a 14-20 record.
With her two WNBA championships—one with a Western Conference team and one with an Eastern Conference team—Brondello has established a prestigious coaching pedigree. Her overall Finals record stands at 8-8. After the Liberty’s championship win in 2024, the team faced various challenges in their title defense during the 2025 season, which culminated in an early playoff exit.
Future of the Liberty
The Liberty organization is expected to conduct an extensive search for Brondello’s successor, as they look to build on her impressive record and navigate the upcoming season without her leadership. The departure of Brondello marks a significant transition for the team as they seek to rebound and enhance their competitive stature in the league.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: Sandy Brondello
- ESPN: Sandy Brondello Fired
- Front Office Sports: Liberty Fire Coach
- Wikipedia: New York Liberty
- USA Today: Liberty Fire Coach
- Google Search: Sandy Brondello WNBA
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