"It probably wasn't the right fit anymore" - Sandy Brondello Reveals True Reason Behind her Unexpected NY Liberty Firing Post-Playoffs

Sandy Brondello and the New York Liberty didn't have the best ending to the 2025 WNBA season. Fans expected the team to be in the Finals, given that they were the defending champions ahead of the campaign. But that didn't happen as the Liberty were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Following New York's elimination, management decided to move on from their head coach and fired Brondello. The famed coach was with the team since 2022 and led the franchise to a title in 2024. Even with that, the organization felt like it was time for them to move on their separate ways.

On Friday's episode of "Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird," the coach gave her reason behind her firing. Brondello expressed to Bird her strong desire to pursue a career outside of the New York team.

“We’re the champions from last year and the hardest thing is to repeat. It really is hard,” Brondello said (1:02:22). “It was hard, it was a very disruptive season, trying to find it. I just felt that it probably wasn’t the right fit anymore, to be quite honest. It was a leadership decision there, and I work best when I’m in a partnership.”

Shortly after, Sandy Brondello secured another job. The WNBA's newest expansion team, the Toronto Tempo, hired the head coach. Howard Megdal of The IX Basketball reported about the team's hiring on X (formerly Twitter).

The 2026 season will mark the debut of the Tempo. The Liberty, on the other hand, still hasn't hired a new head coach. According to reports, assistant coach Sonia Raman is the franchise's top candidate.

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Sandy Brondello described what it felt like to win with the Liberty

One of the most memorable moments of Sandy Brondello's time with the Liberty was leading the team to its first WNBA championship. Fans of the New York franchise will remember it for a long time. But for someone who was part of the experience, Brondello described it as "epic."

“It was epic and it was just a fun experience to be a part of in that parade in New York,” Brondello said.

Everything is resolved by winning. Additionally, it motivates victors to put in more effort and keep winning. Brondello wants to add another championship to her Liberty career after leading the squad to one.

“When you won one, I want to win again. I want to keep winning. I want to win.”

Now, Sandy Brondello has moved on from her career and will look to have the same impact with the Tempo.

Edited by Reign Amurao