Two-time WNBA championship winner Sandy Brondello is set to become the first head coach of the expansion Toronto Tempo next season.

The New York Liberty announced on September 23 that Brondello would not return following a 2025 campaign that saw the team struggle with injuries and fail in their bid to repeat as WNBA champions.

Brondello coached New York to their first WNBA title in 2024, and the club got off to a 9-0 start last season before stars Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones dealt with injuries.

The Liberty went on to finish 27-17 and earn the fifth seed in the play-offs before being eliminated by the No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury in the opening round.

Brondello posted a 107-53 record in four seasons with New York after an eight-year stint with Phoenix that saw her lead the Mercury to the WNBA title in her first season in 2014 while taking home WNBA Coach of the Year honours.

Toronto begin play next year as the first WNBA franchise located outside the United States.

BREAKING: Former Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello will be the first coach of the expansion Toronto Tempo, per @howardmegdal.

The Tempo’s inaugural season will be the 2026 WNBA season. pic.twitter.com/ODx2FKgtW2

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 22, 2025