Sandy Brondello Turned Down More Money to Coach Tempo

Two-time championship winning coach Sandy Brondello had her own free agency experience this fall after the New York Liberty fired her in September, less than a year removed from leading the franchise to its first title. 

Once she hit the market every franchise with an opening came calling. The Dallas Wings fired first-year head coach Chris Koclanes days after Brondello became available. The Wings, Seattle Storm, and Toronto Tempo were ultimately the three WNBA franchises Brondello received offers from, according to multiple sources. 

Just like any other top free agent, Brondello had to outline her priorities. For some the top priority is location, for others it’s money, and then there are those who only care about the fit and winning. 

In the end, Brondello fell into the latter category. Despite receiving a more lucrative offer from another WNBA suitor, according to multiple sources, Brondello accepted the Tempo job because of the collaboration she felt with the team’s front office. 

“This is the place I wanted to be,” Brondello said Tuesday. “To build a team from the ground up, that really excited me.” 

The exact terms of Brondello’s deal were not disclosed per team policy, but multiple sources told Front Office Sports she is signed to a multi-year contract that pays her seven figures a year. This will make her one of the highest paid coaches in the WNBA, joining the Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts and the Las Vegas Aces’ Becky Hammon as the three known coaches in the league earning at least $1 million annually. 

Tibbetts was reportedly the highest paid coach in the WNBA in 2025 with a salary exceeding $1 million. When Hammon was hired in 2022 she became the first coach to earn a $1 million annual salary, which owner Mark Davis confirmed at the time of her hiring. She has since led the franchise to three WNBA titles in a four-year span. 

Davis alluded to Hammon being the highest paid coach in the WNBA in October after his team swept the Mercury in the Finals. When asked if it was time to make Hammon the highest-paid coach in the WNBA, Davis responded by playing coy. 

“Oh, she’s not?” Davis asked, before calling Hammon “unbelievable.” 

Four of the five WNBA coaching vacancies have been filled, with the Liberty holding the last opening. 

Former Liberty assistant Sonia Raman was hired by the Seattle Storm and while the terms of her deal have not been disclosed, league sources told FOS that her multiyear deal has a high six-figure yearly salary with the potential to eclipse $1 million with bonuses. 

The Portland Fire went with NBA assistant Alex Sarama and the Wings hired longtime college coach Jose Fernandez.