New York Liberty Part Ways with Sandy Brondello After Historic Run

Liberty end Brondello’s tenure just one year after first WNBA championship

Arun UpadhayaySeptember 23, 2025

60,900 3 minutes read

New York, September 23 EST: The news dropped like a buzzer-beater gone wide. Sandy Brondello, the head coach who delivered the New York Liberty’s first WNBA championship just one year ago, is out. No contract renewal. No encore. Just four days after the Liberty’s stunning first-round playoff exit, the franchise announced that the winningest coach in team history won’t be back in 2026.

It’s the kind of move that makes fans rub their eyes and check the calendar, because surely this had to be an April Fool’s gag. Except it isn’t April, and Liberty Nation isn’t laughing.

A Championship in the Rearview

Brondello’s run in New York wasn’t just good, it was record-setting. In four seasons, she stacked up 107 wins against 53 losses, guiding a roster of stars through the grind and lifting the Liberty to heights they’d never touched before. The 2024 championship wasn’t just another banner; it was the first banner, the crown jewel in a franchise long aching for legitimacy.

And yet, here we are. Out after one playoff stumble, replaced by a coaching search that feels equal parts ambitious and reckless.

Players Rally Behind Their Coach

If the front office wanted this decision to land quietly, they miscalculated. Breanna Stewart didn’t mince words after the Liberty’s early exit, brushing off speculation about Brondello’s future and praising her leadership. Natasha Cloud doubled down, calling doubts about her coach “ludicrous.”

You don’t often see stars go public with that kind of fire unless they mean it. This wasn’t boilerplate “we respect the process” talk. This was raw loyalty, a roster that believed in its coach even if the boardroom didn’t.

GM Jonathan Kolb, for his part, tried to soften the blow. He called Brondello’s tenure “historic,” credited her with taking the franchise “to never-before-seen heights,” and thanked her for delivering the title. Nice words, but they don’t change the scoreboard.

A Coaching Carousel Spins Again

So, who’s next? The list of rumored replacements reads like a who’s who of basketball minds. Noelle Quinn, recently cut loose from Seattle, has the resume. Teresa Weatherspoon, Liberty royalty and a player’s coach through and through, feels like the fan-favorite pick. There’s Rebekkah Brunson in Minnesota, Latricia Trammell with her defensive grit, and Kristi Toliver, a champion turned teacher on the sidelines.

And then there’s the shiny long shot: Dawn Staley. Every time a WNBA job opens, her name floats up from the college ranks like a flare. Would she actually leave South Carolina for the Liberty? History says no, but imagine the electricity if she did.

The safer play might be internal, someone like Sonia Raman, who already knows the system and the roster. Continuity counts in a locker room that just lost its architect. But does “safe” win you a second ring? That’s the question rattling around Barclays Center right now.

What This Really Means

Strip away the press releases and it comes down to this: the Liberty made a bet. They decided that one playoff flameout outweighed a title, a record, and the locker room’s trust. It’s bold, maybe even brash. Some will call it visionary, others will call it panic.

For the fans, it stings. For the players, it shocks. For Brondello, it’s another chapter in a career that’s seen her climb, fall, and climb again. And for New York, it’s the start of another long, loud offseason, the kind this city loves, but the kind it rarely forgives if the gamble doesn’t pay off.

Because here’s the truth: in this town, winning once is sweet. Winning twice is survival.

New Jersey Times Is Your Source: The Latest In Politics, Entertainment, Business, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Do Checkout Our Telegram Channel @Njtdotcom For Latest Updates.

Arun Upadhayay

Website | + posts

A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.

New York Liberty Part Ways with Sandy Brondello After Historic Run