Liberty GM explains the reason for Sandy Brondello’s dismissal a year after the WNBA championship.

Liberty Parts Ways with Manager Sandy Brondello

This week, Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb announced the decision to let go of manager Sandy Brondello following a “full investigation” that extended beyond this season.

During a Thursday morning press conference, Kolb clarified that the choice to fire Brondello was “not punitive or reactive.” He emphasized the need for evolution within the team.

Brondello, the winningest coach in the franchise’s history, was officially released on Tuesday. Just last season, following their championship win, Liberty had given her a two-year contract extension with an option for 2026.

Despite a strong start, winning nine consecutive games, Liberty’s performance faltered over the following months, ultimately placing them fifth in the standings. They managed to recover, however, making it past the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury on September 19th.

After a tough Game 3 loss, Brondello expressed the disappointment felt by the team but also shared her pride in her players’ efforts.

Liberty stars have voiced their support for Brondello. When asked about the future of Brondello’s position going into the 2026 season, player Breanna Stewart provided her thoughts, although specifics were not detailed.

In the search for Brondello’s replacement, it appears the franchise is considering candidates with NBA experience. Kolb expressed confidence in their vision for the new coach and hopes to maintain the current core of players, including Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones.