"Breanna is not going to be happy" - WNBA fans react to NY Liberty firing HC Sandy Brondello in the aftermath of early exit

The New York Liberty have parted ways with last season's championship-winning coach, Sandy Brondello. The team said on Tuesday that it would not renew her contract for the 2026 season.

The Liberty were eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. Brondello led the Liberty to a 27-17 record in the regular season. New York finished second in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall before being eliminated by Phoenix.

Fans on social media reacted to the development, with one tweeting that star player Breanna Stewart won't be pleased.

"Ooh Breanna’s not going to be happy."

Broccoli Λ•D🥦🇳🇬

@anxietyAD

@AnnieCostabile Ooh Breanna’s not going to be happy

Others weren't pleased that New York let go of Brondello, who brought the city its first championship.

CC Fan for Life

@sandi_stricklin

@AnnieCostabile Wow. Sandy didn’t deserve that. The League is happy to fire Coaches but not Refs?! The Refs can change a game’s result that even the best coach can’t overcome. Shame on the WNBA.

Lakers Hoops

@HoopLakers

@AnnieCostabile We just fire people cuz we don’t go back to back now? Thats actually some bulls__

Go Merc

@SunderousDunks

@AnnieCostabile They must think they're the NBA now. Good coaches ain't grow on trees. Grass ain't greener

G44C

@mariequeefonete

i get out of class and see this, why would they do that

Sports talk with Win

@Hooptalkwin

This makes no sense.

Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb thanked Brondello for her service.

“Sandy finishes her tenure in New York as the winningest coach in franchise history, and she took us to never-before-seen heights as the first head coach to lead the Liberty to a championship," he said in a statement. "We wish Sandy the very best in her next chapter.”

Brondello's exit follows the departure of the Seattle Storm's Noelle Quinn on Saturday, and she could become the frontrunner in the race to become the next coach in Seattle.

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What's next for New York Liberty following the exit of coach Sandy Brondello?

Despite leading the franchise to its first title and making two straight Finals appearances, Sandy Brondello's failure to defend the title proved to be her downfall.

New York Liberty v Chicago Sky - Source: Getty

New York faced challenges as it aimed to defend its title. Injuries to star players Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu during the course of the season led to the team dropping in the standings.

The Liberty are conducting a search for a new coach, with former Storm boss Noelle Quinn in contention.