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New York Liberty moves on from head coach Sandy Brondello almost a year after the veteran Wnba Coach led the franchise to his first championship.
The team announced a statement on Tuesday, announcing the decision not to renew Brondello’s contract for the 2026 season.
New York Liberty -Head coach Sandy Brondello looks down on the field in the first half against Las Vegas Acer during match two of the 2023 WNBA final in Michelob Ultra Arena on October 11, 2023. (Candice Ward-USA Today Sports)
“We would like to thank Sandy Brondello for her eternal influence on New York Liberty, “ General Manager Jonathan Kolb said in a statement. “Sandy ends her tenure in New York as the winning coach in the franchise story, and she took us to never before seen heights as the first header to lead the freedom to a championship.
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“We wish Sandy the very best in her next chapter.”
The move comes after the freedom was removed from the playoffs after a first round loss to Phoenix Mercury Last week.
“It has been a privilege to have coached new Liberty for the past four years. To bring the first championship ever to New York will always be the most amazing feeling. I wish the team and the organization more success in moving forward,” Brondello said in a statement to Associated Press. ”
New York Liberty Head coach Sandy Brondello responds during the second half to Chicago Sky at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, August 21, 2025. (John Jones/Imag- Pictures)
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The reigning WNBA masters were removed from the playoffs on Friday after a 79-73 loss in Game 3 in their series against Merkur. At the news conference after Game, Breanna Stewart was stunned by a question from a reporter who asked what her answer would be on those who asked if Brondello should be brought back to next season.
“What f —?” Stewart responded immediately.
“For anyone who questions Sandy to be here, this is an elastic group and she has our back and we have her. The way she continued to deal with the cards she was treated was incredible. It was not easy for anyone, but she came in every day with a positive attitude and a mindset to put us in our best positions possible and best foot forward.”
New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello responds to Phoenix Mercury during the first half of Game 3 of the first round of 2025 WNBA playoffs in the PhX Arena after the New York Liberty Forward Breanna Stewart (30) made a three-point basket in Phoenix, Arizona, September 19, 2025. (Joe Camporeale/Imag images)
Despite damage to star players this season, Brondello led the freedom to the playoffs with # 5 seeds. Last season she coached New York to her first WNBA title in franchise history in a crucial game 5 overtime victory over Minnesota.
She joined New York in 2022 after eight seasons in Phoenix, where she also led Mercury to a championship.
