Brondello
Sports business can be ruthless. The WNBA is no different with the shock news coming out of the New York Liberty front office this week. It is officially a new era of high-stakes sports business. In a move that sent shockwaves through the league, the Liberty announced they will not renew the contract of head coach Sandy Brondello. This happens just days after the team was eliminated from the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. This decision, following a season marked by injuries and an unexpected first-round exit, signals a franchise with championship-or-bust expectations.
The End of an Era: Sandy Brondello’s Legacy
Sandy Brondello’s tenure with the New York Liberty was nothing short of historic. Hired before the 2022 season, she guided the team to its first-ever WNBA championship in 2024. Under her leadership, the Liberty became a powerhouse. It set franchise records for wins while making two consecutive trips to the WNBA Finals. Her overall record of 107-53 is the winningest in franchise history.
Despite a strong start to the 2025 season with a franchise-best nine-game winning streak, the team was derailed by injuries to key players. Those players included stars Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu. The Liberty finished the season with a 27-17 record, earning the No. 5 seed in the playoffs before losing to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round. The decision to part ways with a coach who brought the franchise its first title is a bold statement about the team’s ambition and a reflection of the intense pressure to win at the highest level.
Sandy Brondello (Photo Courtesy WNBA)
What’s Next for the New York Liberty?
With a stacked roster featuring some of the league’s biggest names, the Liberty’s focus will now shift to finding a new head coach who can lead this talented group back to the WNBA mountaintop. The search for a new leader is immediate, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
* A Roster Built to Win Now: The core of the Liberty’s roster remains intact, with All-WNBA players like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones under contract. The addition of Natasha Cloud in the offseason also proved to be a significant acquisition. This is a team built for a deep playoff run, and the new coach will be expected to maximize their potential.
* Addressing the “Championship Hangover”: The 2025 season was a case study in the challenges of repeating as champions. The new coach will need to address the team’s mid-season struggles and find a way to maintain consistent performance throughout the long season, especially when faced with adversity like injuries.
* The Future is Bright, but the Pressure is On: The Liberty have established themselves as a premier destination for top talent. The new hire will have a massive opportunity to lead a title contender but will also face immense pressure from the front office, the fan base, and the players themselves.
Liberty Did Not Finish Strong in the 2025 Season
The 2025 season is already over for the New York Liberty. They were eliminated from the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury. The focus now is on the future. While the team’s 2025 season ended in disappointment, the decision to fire their championship-winning coach is a sign that the Liberty organization is unwilling to settle for anything less than a dynasty. The 2026 season will be a true test of their resolve and their ability to rebound from this setback. The search for a new head coach is the first, crucial step in their quest to reclaim their place at the top of the WNBA.
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