The WNBA is a cutthroat league for coaches. One season without a championship, and your job could be on the line. Just ask Sandy Brondello, who was let go by the New York Liberty after their first-round 2025 exit against the Phoenix Mercury. When a reporter asked Breanna Stewart what she would say to those questioning Brondello’s future, Stewart’s unfiltered reaction captured the tension: “What the f–k?”

Despite Stewart’s vocal support for Brondello returning to coach in 2026, Liberty management opted to move in another direction. But what happened behind the doors? Let’s explore why that might be.

1. 2026 was a drop in performance for Sandy Brondello

Injury Crisis

Brondello was probably a victim of her own standards. Liberty went from being the top seed at 32-8 in 2024 to a fifth seed in 2025 with a 27-17 record. It wasn’t just the results; the product felt off to a fanbase that knows elite basketball. Yes, injuries played a significant role in this downfall, with Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, and Nyara Sabally missing over 40 games. Liberty players missed the second-most number of games(122)!

Midseason Promises Failed To Deliver

However, that doesn’t explain all of Liberty’s troubles. Brondello got two free agents midseason to help bolster their injury-ravaged frontcourt. But those moves fell well short of the potential they carried on paper. Brondello received the 2019 Finals MVP, Emma Meesseman, who was completely outmatched in the postseason. She only averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and two assists in 13.3 minutes in the playoffs, and in the deciding Game 3, she had zero points in nine minutes.

Stephanie Talbot only provided 2.9 points and 1.7 assists per game from the bench and barely participated in the postseason. The performance against Mercury could have played a huge role; the team crumbled at home against Mercury while depending on an injured Breanna Stewart, and the fans showed their disappointment. 

2. Fans were unhappy with Sandy Brondello’s direction

During their Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, many fans began leaving Barclays Center as early as the third quarter, with some even departing before the fourth. WNBA insider Khristina Williams offered insight on the Good Follow Podcast, pointing to the team’s on-court struggles.

“I think that the energy went down because the Liberty wasn’t really giving the fans anything to cheer for. And so people were leaving out of that building… and it was really sad to see because usually when you’re at Barclays, it’s packed. People were cheering on the team, good or bad. I think the fans are just as fed up with how the Liberty are playing as everyone else is these days. So that was the gist of it,” Williams said.

The fan exodus highlighted the broader challenges facing the Liberty front office, emphasizing that frustration had extended beyond just wins and losses. A coaching change could redirect the team’s trajectory while restoring faith among supporters. With attendance and energy dipping during crucial playoff moments, the move was as much about rebuilding fan engagement as it was about performance.

3. Stalled CBA talks might have forced Liberty to look beyond Brondello

As the league enters a pivotal stage concerning its CBA, 2026 is expected to be an important year for its future. The talks between the WNBPA and the WNBA are still stalled, and a potential work stoppage is on the horizon, adding uncertainty. Assuming the CBA situation gets solved in time, almost the entire league will be a free agent in the coming offseason. That likely means roster overhaul.

The front office might have kept this in mind while deciding to push the reset button as the league prepares to step into a different cycle, 2026 onwards. But Brondello leaves Liberty with an everlasting legacy, and she knew the pressure of being a Liberty coach. “In the end, I get it,” she said in early September.

“This is a professional organization, and the coaches, I know I’ll probably be the first one to blame, and that’s OK. That’s fine. I got wide enough shoulders here.” Brondello’s resume, a 107–53 powerhouse run with three Coach of the Month honors, could have multiple suitors from across the league (looking at you, Dallas and Chicago). While the Liberty is out in the market looking for a new coach.