The New York Liberty has been a strong team for quite a few years now. With Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart’s partnership, they are a force to be reckoned with in any matchup. Since Ionescu’s draft in 2020, the Liberty had been eyeing a WNBA title. In 2022, that responsibility was put upon Sandy Brondello.
Brondello repaid that trust when she won the WNBA championship in her 2nd season. Liberty lifted the WNBA title in 2024. However, the 2024-25 season did not go as planned. New York fans were disappointed when the team lost to the Phoenix Mercury. Despite winning the first game in the series, Brondello and Co. suffered defeat in the next 2 games for a disappointing exit for the defending champions.
There were a few doubts around Brondello’s future among fans, but reports did not provide any concrete evidence for a drastic step from Liberty. However, the WNBA world was shocked to know that the Liberty fired Brondello on Tuesday. Just 1 season after making history with the team, the defending champions parted ways with the 57-year-old coach. Liberty thanked Sandy for creating history in New York as they bid adieu.
Thank you Coach Sandy, for bringing the Liberty its first championship and leaving an everlasting impact on the franchise.🏆 pic.twitter.com/cpf0pUGuuo
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 23, 2025
There was an obvious shock among fans. That was also because questions around her future did pop up in the press conference after Liberty’s playoff exit. Breanna Stewart had an interesting response to a reporter’s ‘bizarre’ question.
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“What would you say to those who question whether Sandy should be here next year coaching you guys again?” the reporter asked Stewart.
Stewart found the question bizarre and replied in shock, “What the f*ck?” She followed that with a small chuckle. Sabrina was also left in shock at the reporter’s question.
“I am not saying I question it. There’s just some people that do.”, the reporter clarified.
Stewart answered, “To anybody that kind of questions, Sandy being here. Like this is a resilient group and she has our back and we have hers.”
Just 3 days after Stewart showed confidence in her coach, Liberty announced the decision to let Brondello go. Clearly, the players did not have any knowledge of the decision and judging by what Stewart says, they might not be the happiest either.
Sandy Brondello’s Last Season With Breanna Stewart And Co.
After 2024’s WNBA title, expectations were high for Brondello. Liberty had all its key players for almost the whole of the season. Liberty comfortably qualified for the WNBA playoffs.
With a record of 27-17 and a win streak of 3, Liberty looked in great form going into the business end of the season. They won the first game vs the Phoenix Mercury. Natasha Cloud scored the most points (23) while both Stewart and Ionescu also had strong displays with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
However, Mercury made a strong comeback in the other 2 games. Phoenix comfortably got over Liberty with an 86-60 win. None of the star players got into the double digits. Both Ionescu and Stewart had a disappointing outing. On the other hand, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas combined for 30 points.
Mercury carried the momentum into the 3rd game of the series. Sabally, with 23 points and Thomas, with 20, were too good for Brondello and co. Breanna Stewart’s 30 points and Sabrina Ionescu’s 23 went in vain as Liberty fell short by 6 points.
A first-round exit for the defending champions was an unsatisfactory end to their season. But did Sandy Brondello deserve to lose the coaching job just 1 season after winning the WNBA title? And who is the right coach to take Liberty forward now?
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