Fans looked for the end of the CBA discussion to get the WNBA season. The league, though, released a schedule that highlights May 9 as the start date for the season. Players like A’ja Wilson and Azura Stevens call out the WNBA over the missing schedule drop. Coach Sandy Brondello, though, has another issue with the league and CBA.
Brondello took over the Toronto Tempo coaching job after parting ways with the New York Liberty at the end of the 2025 season. The expansion team will look for a strong start to its WNBA debut, but the coach looks unhappy with the proceedings so far.
Sandy Brondello’s Frustration Over the Delay
Fans wanted to see their players back on the floor as early as possible, players wanted to play in the league as early as possible, and even the league wanted to get the season underway as early as possible, but the stalled CBA deal makes things impossible. The former Liberty coach has another reason to be angry over the delay, though.
“We don’t know what kind of style [we] want to play. I don’t have any players yet… I know I have a vision of how I want to play. But until that, we just work really hard and prepare the best we can and be ready when it really does happen, because it will happen quick,” Brondello said in a recent interview.
* @cbcsports EXCLUSIVE*
— shireenahmed.bsky.social (@_shireenahmed_) January 21, 2026
Had a sit down chat with @TempoBasketball head coach, Sandy Brondello. We talked building a team (without players!!!) Toronto, her vision is for the franchise, and poutine versus vegemite. https://t.co/8IyGzSMXwp
While the franchise is looking to better support and practice facilities and to get input from the community and fans on a mascot, having players who can run the floor is paramount. The front office is also working to secure a local broadcast deal, which will be the first in Canadian history.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
“And when the CBA does get done, and hopefully does get done sooner than later, it’d be nice to have a player,” she said.
Still, when the schedule is out, the coach prepares her priority lists and focuses on the teams she would like to test her team against.
Sandy Brondello Prioritizes Game Against Caitlin Clark
When the WNBA released the match schedule, every franchise sorted out its games and even categorized them into home and away schedules for better management and ease of work. Tempo is no different, and Brondello now has (at least) a clear view of her opponents. When asked about three teams she is looking forward to, she answered immediately. After naming her former teams, Mercury and Liberty, she chose the Indiana Fever.
“I have Indiana, because everyone loves to play against Caitlin Clark. I think they’ve got such a big following in this league too, so our players can go into a very loud arena, I think that will be fun,” Brondello said.
The calendar’s circled.
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) January 22, 2026
Coach @SBrondello’s three most-anticipated matchups of 2026. 😤 pic.twitter.com/0AifajYuNm
Earlier in the off-season, Sandy Brondello revealed ‘Caitlin Clark’ as a coaching nightmare that makes her “really hard to guard”. While she has been a fan of the former Iowa star, the first meeting between the two sides will be on June 16 at Gainbridge Arena and on August 18 at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto.