Sandy Brondello will bring immediate success to the Toronto Tempo as their new head coach next season. The Tempo are expected to name Brondello as the first head coach of the new expansion franchise, as the news was first reported by Howard Megdel of The IX. Before joining Toronto, Brondello was let go by the New York Liberty after four seasons, one in which she won the championship in 2024. With many teams wanting to hire Brondello, she decided to accept the challenge of coaching the Tempo. Although Brondello will be coaching an expansion franchise for the first time, she is capable of making them a championship team sooner rather than later.

Toronto will debut in 2026, being the first WNBA team in Canada. Brondello joins the Tempo as the sixth-winningest coach in WNBA history, including two championships. She is also the Australian National Team coach, most recently winning a bronze medal in the 2024 Olympics. Brondello has coached many stars over the course of her career, like Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Sabrina Ionescu. Now with Toronto, she will face a new challenge of leading a roster yet to be constructed. The Tempo will build a roster through the expansion draft, likely selecting many role players off of other existing teams’ rosters. With many young players expected to be on Toronto’s roster, Brondello is the perfect leader to maximize the team’s potential.

The Tempo are one of two expansion teams looking to build a roster, joining the Portland Fire. Although the parameters are unclear because of ongoing CBA negotiations, each team will select one unprotected player from each of the other 13 teams in the league. Last season, the Golden State Valkyries were the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their first season, a feat Toronto will look to replicate. Bringing in a veteran head coach with multiple championships, like Brondello, is a great start, but the front office must build a suitable roster for her to work with.

Toronto is led by general manager Monica Wright Rogers, who was an assistant general manager with the Phoenix Mercury. Although their paths never crossed, Brondello also coached in Phoenix for eight years, winning a championship in 2014. She played seven years in the league before joining the front office ranks, a luxury that should work in the Tempo’s favor. Assisting Wright Rogers will be Eli Horowitz, who was an assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Sparks before joining Toronto. His analytical background will be vital when analyzing which players the Tempo should target in the expansion draft. Rounding out the front office is Mark Schindler, the Manager of Scouting and Basketball Strategy. Schindler is known for his knack for identifying young talent in the college ranks, which will be beneficial for a franchise starting from scratch like Toronto. Brondello has a tremendous supporting cast around her, which is important if the Tempo want to find success in their debut season.

Toronto is entering the league with little expectation to succeed right away. However, bringing in Brondello as their head coach proves they want to compete immediately. While the road to a championship will be tough for the Tempo, they are well on their way to bringing success to the Land of the Maple Leaf.