Liberty coach Sandy Brondello didn’t seem too excited about playing in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Long Island, but told reporters Tuesday that her players are professionals and “we’re going to go out there and compete.”
On Monday, it was announced that the finals would be played at UBS Arena, home of the Islanders, instead of Barclays Center, the Liberties’ usual home, due to the NBA Draft.
Since the announcement, multiple reports have emerged that the Liberty is unhappy with the situation, and Brondello was asked about it on Tuesday before the Liberty’s 99-93 loss to the Mercury, ending their eight-game winning streak.
“We found out a little bit before you guys did,” Brondello said, according to Winsider’s Miles Ehrlich. “It’s unfortunate, but we can’t help it. We want to do it in New York. I’ve never been to this arena, but I’ve heard it’s great. We’re professionals, so we’ll go out and play.”
The NBA Draft has been held at Barclays Center every year since 2013 (it was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19), but the Liberties’ issues stemmed from the league’s response to avoid potential scheduling conflicts if they advanced to the finals of the WNBA’s in-season tournament.
Attempts to move the game to another date were rejected, with the league reportedly giving the opposing team, the Minnesota Lynx, the final say on when the game would be played.
“The NBA Draft was scheduled to be held at Barclays Center on June 26, which created an unavoidable conflict for the use of the building,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass told The Post in a statement on Monday. “We are working closely with the New York Liberty to provide the best possible experience for spectators and participants in the relocation of one game to UBS Arena and the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the Liberty’s season ticket holders and loyal fans.”
The final at UBS Arena. Getty Images
UBS Arena has hosted numerous college basketball games since opening in 2021, including the St. John’s University men’s and women’s teams, but the Liberty vs. Lynx game on June 25 will be the first professional basketball game (men’s or women’s) to be played at the Elmont Arena.
The Liberty have drawn large crowds in Brooklyn, but UBS Arena’s location on the border of Nassau County and Queens poses challenges for fans who live in the city.
