The New York Liberty are moving on from the coach who led them to the top of the league.
According to ESPN, the team announced it has parted ways with head coach Sandy Brondello, opting not to renew her contract after the 2025 season. The decision comes just one year after Brondello guided the Liberty to the first WNBA championship in franchise history.
Brondello leaves as the winningest coach in team history with a 107â53 record (.669), back-to-back Finals appearances, and the 2024 title. Her firing is less about résumé and more about what comes next.
A Sudden End to a Historic Tenure
GettyFormer New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello helped in building franchise around star point guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Brondelloâs arrival in 2022 coincided with the Libertyâs transformation into a superteam. With stars like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones leading the charge, New York climbed from a first-round exit in her debut season to WNBA runner-up in 2023 and champion in 2024.
But 2025 didnât go as planned. The Liberty still finished 27â17, second in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall, powered by Stewartâs scoring, Jonesâ dominance on the glass, and Natasha Cloudâs defensive edge. They opened the year on a nine-game winning streak, only to fade late and bow out in the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury.
Injuries to Stewart, Jones, and Ionescu tested their depth, but the franchiseâs decision signals that consistency wasnât enough.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
GettyThe New York Liberty were one of the top teams in the WNBA led by star point guard Sabrina Ionescu.
The numbers suggest the Liberty remained among the leagueâs elite in 2025:
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84.4 points per game (4th in WNBA)
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21.8 assists per game (3rd)
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45.3% field goal percentage (4th)
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A league-best 83.7% from the free throw line
Yet their playoff performance told a different story. Phoenix disrupted New Yorkâs offense, exposed rebounding issues without a healthy Jones, and executed better down the stretch. For a team built to win championships, an early exit wasnât acceptable.
That disconnect between regular-season dominance and postseason disappointment appears to have cost Brondello her job.
Whatâs Next for the Liberty?
GettyNew York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart has verbally committed to returning to the team next season as she is set to be a free agent this summer.
New Yorkâs roster remains loaded with All-WNBA talent and in its prime. Stewart, Ionescu, Jones, and Cloud are the type of core that can compete for titles annually. What the front office seeks now is a coach who can maximize those pieces when it matters most.
The Libertyâs next hire will set the tone for the franchiseâs future. With one title already secured, expectations are sky-high. Brondello may have laid the foundation, but New York is clearly searching for someone to build the dynasty.
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