The New York Liberty just made one of the most baffling moves in recent WNBA history. On September 23, 2025, the team announced that Sandy Brondello’s contract would not be renewed for the 2026 season. Yes, the same Sandy Brondello who led the Liberty to their first-ever WNBA championship just last year. Yes, the same Sandy Brondello who navigated a brutal season full of injuries, still got New York back to the playoffs, and then — after one shocking first-round exit — finds herself out of a job.
Like Breanna Stewart said in the post-game presser: “WTF!” Seriously, what type of foolishness is this? How do you part ways with the winningest coach in franchise history one year after she delivers the ultimate prize?
The only explanation is that something big — super big — is on the horizon. Bruce Pearl just retired from Auburn, could he be coming? Could the Liberty be going after Rebecca Lobo, making a run at Becky Hammon, or opening the door for Teresa Weatherspoon to return? The list of speculative replacements reads like a WNBA fantasy draft. Otherwise, the move makes no sense.
This isn’t unprecedented. We’ve seen high-risk coaching changes in this league before. Karl Smesko’s hire in Atlanta after moving on from a playoff coach? It worked. He led the Dream to their best season in franchise history, produced an MVP finalist in Allisha Gray and a Sixth Player of the Year in Naz Hillmon. Indiana took a lot of heat for firing Christy Sides but landed Stephanie White, who has the Fever closer to the Finals than anyone expected this season.
But there’s a downside to that coin flip. Look at Chicago. They were on an upward trajectory under Teresa Weatherspoon, but a change at the top left the Sky spiraling and mishandling star talent. You can lose your edge overnight with the wrong move.
For the Liberty, this feels like a gamble with no safety net. Brondello didn’t just win; she built something sustainable. She elevated a franchise, stabilized rotations through injuries, and had the respect of every veteran on that roster. Now, unless New York’s front office unveils a blockbuster name, they risk alienating their players and destabilizing the momentum that took two years to build.
Unless they’re bringing in Geno… no, no, I’m joking — but honestly, this one leaves me dumbfounded. New York better hope they have an ace up their sleeve, because firing a championship coach after one bad playoff series? That’s a decision fans and players won’t forget if it backfires.
