Sandy Brondello is Toronto Tempo new head coach

• ‍Sandy Brondello exits Liberty after historic 2024 WNBA championship run‍
• Brondello exit: When a picture is worth a thousand words‍
• Breanna Stewart's brutal response to Sandy question

Australian Opals head coach Sandy Brondello is the new head coach of WNBA expansion franchise Toronto Tempo only a month after departing ways with the Liberty.

2024 WNBA champions New York didn't renew Brondello's contract after the Liberty were knocked out of the 2025 play-offs by Sami Whitcomb's Phoenix Mercury.

Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell of The IX Sports reported the signing today.

"From my perspective, Sandy Brondello, when I wrote this at The IX, was immediately the best, or among the best, candidates for any opening the moment that the New York Liberty decided to move on from her," Megdal said.

Powell added: "Brondello is a two-time WNBA champion. She’s someone who — I think — has maybe missed the playoffs once in her many years coaching in the WNBA (you’d have to fact check me on that).

"She’s someone who’s going to help the Tempo shape their foundation and build on the standard that the Golden State Valkyries have set for an expansion franchise this past season.

Megdal continued: "It’s interesting — Golden State really set the tone here. I guess I could say the tempo for what people are hoping for out of expansion this year.

"A little bit different, obviously, bringing in the experience of Sandy. Also, a bit of a difference from some of the other candidates — the Toronto Tempo clearly valued WNBA experience, where other teams seem to be deemphasising that right now."

Powell said: "For an expansion team, where there’s a lot of 'new'. I’ve spoken to some NBA assistants — including some of Becky Hammon’s recent assistants — and they’ve talked about how learning the WNBA is a completely different animal than the NBA.

"You have Natalie Nakase, who was involved in the league for a few years before she moved on to be the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries.

"Sandy Brondello — one of the most tenured WNBA head coaches there is — will help ease that transition for an expansion franchise."

WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart was incredulous when asked by a reporter about whether Australian Opals and New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello "should be here next year to coach you?" after the defending champions were eliminated from the 2025 playoffs last month.

Stewart, 31, was taken aback during the post game press conference and uttered: "What the [expletive]?"

The Liberty lost to the Phoenix Mercury 2-1 in the best of three series, falling 79-73 in Game 3 in Phoenix, Arizona.

"To anybody that questions Sandy being here — this is a resilient group, and she has our back and we have hers," Stewart declared.

"The way she dealt with the cards she was dealt was incredible.

"It wasn’t easy for anybody, but she came in every day with a positive attitude and mindset to put us in the best positions possible.

"We’re not going to be a team that points fingers. A lot of us could have done better this season, but we’re still going to fight and show up for each other every single day.

"That’s what’s most important. We have Sandy’s back."

Just days later, the Liberty and Brondello parted ways.

Toronto Tempo

Basic Facts

• Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• First WNBA team located outside the United States.
• Will play home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum (capacity about 8,500) in Toronto.
• Head coach: Sandy Brondello

Ownership & Leadership

• Owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, led by Larry Tanenbaum.
• Also has co-owners: Serena Williams, Lilly Singh, and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy.
• President: Teresa Resch.
• General Manager: Monica Wright Rogers.

Branding & Identity

• Name: Toronto Tempo. Unveiled in December 2024.
• Colours: Bordeaux, hydrogen blue, black, white.
• The name “Tempo” chosen through public engagement; the idea is to reflect rhythm, pace, energy of Toronto and basketball.

Other Key Facts / Plans

• Expansion franchise was awarded in May 2024.
• Expansion fee about USD $50 million.
• Will join the WNBA in 2026.
• Founding partners and sponsors are lined up (e.g. Sephora, CIBC) and early front office hires are in place (including assistant GM etc.).
• The Tempo will also play two regular-season games in Vancouver during the 2026 season, expanding outreach in Canada.

MORE TO COME