The Toronto Tempo unveiled Sandy Brondello as its first head coach on November 3. The newly appointed boss quickly began her activities as Brondello attended the Raptors vs. Bucks game at the Scotiabank Arena, showing her support for the Toronto side.
While GM Monica Wright Rogers called the Australian a ‘unicorn’ during the press conference, other franchises also tried hiring the coach. According to reports, the Dallas Wings and Seattle Storm approached the former Liberty leader and even offered a higher salary. But eventually, the 57-year-old moved to the northern side.
Fans React To Sandy Brondello Snubbing Dallas Wings
As soon as the New York Liberty parted ways with its head coach, four other franchises quickly tried to hire her. There was news that the Dallas Wings were making a strong push for the experienced head coach.
While choosing the Wings was a more lucrative choice, with Paige Buecker as the centerpiece of the team’s plans. Having the NCAA Champion and the 2025 Rookie of the Year winner would have provided the coach with a strong player to work with. But she went in the other direction.
Sandy Brondello reportedly turned down more money from the Dallas Wings and the Seattle Storm to coach the Toronto Tempo, per @FOS.
— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) November 4, 2025
She will still be one of the highest paid coaches in the WNBA after accepting a $1M+ contract from the Tempo 👀 pic.twitter.com/0W0nJ4zow0
The news amazed fans as they reacted to the same, targeting Paige Buckers and the Wings in their ‘assessment’.
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One fan wrote, “she didn’t wanna turn the paige.”
something tells me she didn’t wanna turn the paige 🤣
— Jason Paul (@avatarsaysitall) November 5, 2025
Another fan wrote, “Much lower expectations, and you get to set culture from the jump.”
Much lower expectations, and you get to set culture from the jump. Makes sense
— Setia (@hellosetia) November 5, 2025
A fan wrote, “Sandy declined high pay and chance to coach Paige”
Sandy declined higher pay and chance to coach Paige.
— Oscar Romero showed us the way. (@steve_sherwood) November 5, 2025
Another fan wrote, “Passive p and more money no thanks.”
Passive p and more money no thanks lmao
— scott devlin (@scottde07820838) November 5, 2025
One fan mentioned, “She was waiting for an opportunity of redemption.”
She was waiting for an opportunity of redemption
— Davee Jonez (@JonezDavee) November 5, 2025
Although the prospect of working with PB was very intriguing, the veteran coach weighed her options, highlighting the reasons for choosing the Toronto side.
Sandy Brondello Provides Reason For Choosing Toronto Franchise
Choosing an expansion team was a brave decision; its ‘newness’ intrigued the experienced coach. She even began her WNBA career playing for the Detroit Shock in 1998, as a player. However, this time, she has another duty as the coach, taking command of a team.
“I was very intentional with my thinking about … where I felt was the next challenge for me. where I feel most supported,” Brondello said, explaining her decision. “Where I was most aligned. And that was always hard. All teams were different in what they could present there. But ultimately, I just chose, this is where I wanted to be.”
Sandy Brondello, the Toronto Tempo's first head coach, opens her press conference saying, "This is the place I wanted to be." pic.twitter.com/2bjOLdMxZM
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) November 4, 2025
Now, after choosing her team, Brondello revealed the ultimate vision for a new era, emphasizing the team chemistry and culture. It will be interesting to watch how her expansion team performs, and, on a lighter note, how the Wings perform without Brondello.