The Toronto Tempo has made a monumental statement in its inaugural season preparations, reportedly securing two-time WNBA champion Sandy Brondello as their first head coach, signaling immediate championship aspirations for the expansion franchise.
The WNBA’s newest expansion franchise, the Toronto Tempo, has reportedly found its first head coach, making a significant splash by bringing in a proven winner to lead their inaugural season in 2026. According to reports first from IX Basketball’s Howard Megdal and later confirmed by Ben Pickman of The Athletic and ESPN, two-time WNBA champion coach Sandy Brondello is expected to be named the Tempo’s inaugural head coach. This move comes just a month after Brondello’s unexpected departure from the New York Liberty, where she led the franchise to its first-ever championship.
A Shocking Availability, A New Opportunity
Brondello’s availability was a surprise to many across the league. Despite leading the Liberty to their first championship in 2024 and reaching the WNBA Finals in 2023, the team opted not to renew her contract following the 2025 season. During her four-year tenure with New York, Brondello amassed a 107-53 record, making her the winningest coach in franchise history.
Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb acknowledged her significant impact in a statement following the team’s decision: “Sandy finishes her tenure in New York as the winningest coach in franchise history, and she took us to never-before-seen heights as the first head coach to lead the Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the very best in her next chapter.” Brondello herself reflected on her time, stating that “bringing the first-ever championship to New York will always be the most amazing feeling.”
A Legacy of Winning: Brondello’s Illustrious Coaching Career
At 57 years old, Brondello brings an impressive resume of success to the Tempo. Her overall head-coaching record stands at 271-181 in the regular season, coupled with a 40-32 playoff mark, highlighted by two WNBA championships. Her journey as a head coach began with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2010, following several years as an assistant coach for the Silver Stars and the Los Angeles Sparks.
Her most notable successes came with the Phoenix Mercury from 2014-2021, where she guided the franchise to a WNBA title in her very first season (2014) and was named WNBA Coach of the Year. She continued to build on this legacy with the New York Liberty, delivering another championship in 2024. Beyond the WNBA, Brondello has also served as the head coach for the Australian women’s national team since 2017, leading the Opals to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Navigating the 2025 Season: Liberty’s Injury Woes
The abrupt end to Brondello’s time in New York was largely attributed to the team’s challenging 2025 season. Despite a strong 32-8 record in both 2023 and 2024, the Liberty faced significant injury setbacks in 2025. Key players from their “Big 3” – Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu – each missed time throughout the campaign. This led to a 27-17 regular-season record and a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury, despite initially holding a 1-0 series lead.
The players themselves expressed strong support for Brondello, highlighting the difficult circumstances. Breanna Stewart publicly stated, “She has our back and we have hers,” applauding “the way she continued to deal with the cards she was dealt.” Sabrina Ionescu echoed this sentiment, noting that untimely injuries are “something out of our control.” However, these endorsements were not enough to prevent Liberty management from pursuing a new direction.
Toronto Tempo: Setting the Stage for 2026
The Toronto Tempo, set to be the 14th franchise in the WNBA (alongside the Portland Fire as the 15th), will play their home games at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Hiring a coach with Brondello’s championship pedigree immediately sets a high standard for the expansion team. The pressure will be on to emulate the success of the Golden State Valkyries, who notably made the playoffs in their 2025 debut season, with head coach Natalie Nakase earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors.
The Tempo also boasts a unique leadership combination. Brondello, a former WNBA player herself (1998-2003), will partner with General Manager Monica Wright Rogers, who also played in the league from 2010-2016. This pairing marks the WNBA’s only coach-GM combination comprised entirely of former WNBA players, a detail that could foster a unique understanding of the player experience and team dynamics. As the league awaits a new collective bargaining agreement, details regarding the expansion draft for the Tempo and Fire remain to be finalized, but the coaching cornerstone is now firmly in place, as reported by USA TODAY Sports.
