Sandy Brondello Takes Coaching Role with Tempo

Liberty recently parted ways with Sandy Brondello, just a year after she guided them to their inaugural title.

On Tuesday, Annie Costabile from Front Office Sports reported that Brondello accepted a position with the Tempo, despite receiving more lucrative offers from the Dallas Wings and the Seattle Storm. In the end, her decision to join Toronto seemed to come from a deeper connection with the organization.

Brondello is often regarded as one of the premier head coaches in the league. She’s led her teams to two WNBA championships (the 2014 Phoenix Mercury and the 2024 Liberty) and has been at the helm of the Australian national team since 2017.

Meanwhile, the Wings and Storm have both made coaching selections. The Wings went for longtime South Florida head coach Jose Fernandez, while the Storm opted for former Liberty assistant coach Sonia Raman.

During her press conference on Tuesday, Brondello shared her appreciation for this new opportunity.

“It’s an incredible honor to be part of this historic moment in Canadian basketball,” she stated. “From our initial discussions with the Tempo organization, it was evident we aligned on a vision: to create a world-class franchise aiming for the highest levels of competition, build a vibrant culture, and operate on clear, consistent values. This is a place committed to excellence, people, and community—exactly the kind of environment every coach aspires to be a part of.”

Brondello’s new role presents a unique chance to shape an organization from the ground up. Last year, Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries found herself in a similar position, and she ended up winning Coach of the Year while leading her franchise to the playoffs.

Costabile mentioned that Brondello would join the ranks of the highest-paid coaches in the WNBA, alongside Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts and Las Vegas Aces’ Becky Hammon. It’s noted that they are among the few coaches earning over $1 million annually, despite not fully endorsing the Tempo rule.

Monica Wright-Rogers, the general manager for Tempo, expressed strong confidence in Brondello’s appointment.

“Sandy is one of the most experienced and respected coaches globally,” she said. “She knows what it takes to win at the highest level, and she also understands the importance of building culture within a community. She has a knack for fostering an environment where players know their roles, feel empowered, and realize they contribute to something greater than themselves. That’s what drives sustainable success—what creates champions.”