'Once in a lifetime': Sandy talking as Tempo 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
• Sandy Brondello is Toronto Tempo new head coach

There can only be one first head coach of the WNBA's expansion franchise Toronto Tempo and Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello, a two-time WNBA champion, was introduced as the one yesterday.

"This is the place I wanted to be," Brondello, 57, said.

"I had interest from a few teams, took my time, wanted the right fit. I believe I’ve made the right decision and can’t wait to get to work.

"Basketball in Canada keeps getting bigger and better. As Australian coach, I’ve faced Canada – we beat them for bronze in 2022, played them in Paris last year – they’ve got talented players.

"Being able to build from the beginning – team, culture, legacy – really intrigued me.

"In the end, it was about the people I’d work with every day and enjoying the journey. It’s hard – but you embrace hard and strive for excellence daily."

Brondello was born in Mackay, QLD, played in the WNBL, the WNBA and for the Australian Opals at multiple Olympic Games before leading the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty to WNBA championships. She coached the Liberty to the title in 2024 but almost a year to do the day, New York decided not to renew her for 2026.

"Experience," Brondello said of what she'll bring to the Tempo.

"The WNBA turns 30 next year; I’ve been in it 27 of those years – as a player, assistant, and head coach. It’s a global game, and I’ve coached around the world and with my national team. I know what it’s like to go to a different country and have success.

"I take the ambassador role seriously – promoting the Toronto Tempo and the WNBA to gain more fans."

Unsurprisingly, Brondello was courted by several WNBA teams in search of a head coach including the Dallas Wings. But it was the Tempo that provided inspiration.

"It truly is a great honour to be named the first head coach of the Toronto Tempo," she said.

"The moment I agreed to become the head coach, it was, 'Okay, let’s do this'. It was more than the opportunity – it’s about working with the people. I work best in partnership, and the collaboration I’ve already had with the front office has been really special. I can’t wait to get to work.

"I had a few options, but I was really intrigued by starting from the very beginning and building something with really good people in a different country.

"This is Canada’s team, and that’s exciting. I’m up for the challenge. Yes, we’ll be an expansion team, and a lot of players are free agents, but I hear summer in Toronto is pretty special – so hopefully we can get some pretty special players to represent the Tempo."

The Tempo have a blank roster with the WNBA expansion draft still to be held but Brondello said she excited about building ground up.

"The next steps for me are making this official, then staff and strategy: what kind of players we can bring in, and building a coaching staff that complements me and gives players the best support to achieve team and individual goals," she revealed.

"I have great relationships with current and former players, and that’s critical.

"They’re not just basketball players – they’re human beings. If you’re coached by me, I want you to leave as a better player and a better person, feeling supported but also pushed toward greatness.

"It’s different because it’s an expansion team with no players yet – but that’s exciting.

"We can build from the ground up with players who will represent the city and team the right way and help us perform at a high level.

"The goal is to bring a championship to Toronto. I like winning – it’s fun – and I know it’s hard.

"We’ll build the right culture, add the right players, and work together to put the best product on the floor.

"It makes culture even more important. One big reason I’m here is the ownership and leadership – Larry, and Monica being a former player.

"The relationship we’ve built in a short time has been special. We’ll be intentional about our work and preparation.

"With the CBA there are a lot of free agents – that’s exciting. We want talent and high-character players who represent the city and the country the right way.

"We want to bring fun to the fans, and we’ll build this in partnership with Monica (Wright Rogers) and Lilly (Singh)."

Brondello said she was focused on establishing the foundation for the Tempo to be successful and for players to build trail blazing legacies.

"'Culture' can be a buzzword, but it matters," she said.

"It’s not my culture or Monica’s culture – it has to become the players’ culture. What legacy do they want to leave? What values will we live by? That foundation allows accountability and support so we can grow the franchise the right way.

"Legacy is being a high-performing team and a world-class franchise – bringing championships. I’ve won two; it’d be great to win a third with a third organisation."

She had a last word for the not just the media present at the press conference but to the already growing fan base of the Tempo.

"What you see is what you get," she declared.

"I’m very authentic and I’m going to work really hard to put the best product out there, and I want to build strong relationships."

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.