Toronto Tempo tabs Sandy Brondello as first coach

Sandy Brondello officially has been named the inaugural head coach of the Toronto Tempo, the expansion team announced Tuesday.

Brondello guided the Phoenix Mercury to the 2014 WNBA championship and did the same with the New York Liberty in 2024. The Australian's contract was not renewed with the Liberty on Sept. 23 after the team lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Brondello, 57, is the winningest coach in the history of both franchises, posting a 150-108 record with Phoenix (2014-21) and a 107-53 mark with New York.

"It's an incredible honor to be part of this historic moment for basketball in Canada," Brondello said. "From my first conversations with the Tempo organization, it was clear we share the same vision: to build a world-class franchise that competes at the highest level, to create a strong and dynamic culture, and to root everything we do in clear and consistent values.

"This is a place that's serious about doing things the right way -- about excellence, about people, about community -- and that's exactly the kind of environment every coach wants to be part of."