Sandy Brondello Reflects on Her Journey as She Returns to Barclays Center

NEW YORK — Sandy Brondello made her entrance from the visitor tunnel just moments before the opening tip-off between her new team, the Toronto Tempo, and her previous team, the New York Liberty. As she arrived, she was warmly greeted by former players including Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich, with a staff member offering a supportive gesture that seemed to encourage her to enjoy the moment.

Before the Tempo faced a 97-82 defeat against the Liberty on Wednesday night, Brondello expressed her desire for the evening's celebrations to center around the tributes displayed on the Barclays Center screens for her, Isabelle Harrison, Nyara Sabally, and her assistant coaches, Olaf Lange and Brian Lankton. However, during the first timeout, the arena's public address announcer turned the spotlight on Brondello with a heartfelt video tribute.

“Coming back, obviously it was nice,” Brondello remarked after the game, reflecting on her four impactful seasons with the Liberty before her offseason departure. “Everyone moves around this league. Going back to an old team and to get the appreciation that we get, that’s always special. The fans here have been amazing. It’s a special group here and something that we’ll remember.”

Upon her arrival in New York on Tuesday, Brondello noted that she felt surprisingly detached from her emotions. After landing, she headed straight to Manhattan for a speaking engagement, highlighting her busy schedule. Despite being frequently asked about her feelings regarding the return, she seemed taken aback, indicating that after four years, her emotional landscape was complex. “I’m going to coach some great games, some good games, and I’m going to make some mistakes,” she stated, confident in her coaching abilities and the support she feels in Toronto.

Brondello reflected on her time with the Liberty, acknowledging that her departure was a business decision. During her tenure, she became the winningest coach in franchise history, achieving a 123-64 record and leading the team to its first WNBA championship. Following her exit, the Liberty appointed Chris DeMarco as the new head coach, a move that appeared unexpected for some players, including Jonquel Jones, who expressed surprise at the coaching change after discussing potential improvements during her exit interview.

As she embarks on a new chapter with the Tempo, Brondello is making history as the first coach to lead a WNBA team in Canada. The Tempo, along with the Portland Fire, represents the league's recent expansion, aiming to establish themselves within the competitive landscape. Currently ranked seventh in the league with a 5-5 record, Brondello emphasized the importance of growth within her team. “What’s a successful season?” she questioned. “If we keep getting better and we push some of the better teams, but we’re growing and have a growth mindset.”