Chicago Sky Lands Championship Pedigree: Sandy Brondello Inked to 3-Year Deal as Head Coach..

Chicago Sky Lands Championship Pedigree: Sandy Brondello Inked to 3-Year Deal as Head Coach..

In a seismic move to reclaim WNBA glory, the Chicago Sky announced the hiring of Sandy Brondello as their new head coach on a three-year contract worth an estimated $1.2 million annually, sources confirmed to WNBA Insider. The deal, finalized late Wednesday after weeks of discreet negotiations, marks a bold pivot for the franchise just 24 hours after parting ways with Tyler Marsh following a disappointing 14-26 campaign that saw the Sky miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

Brondello, 56, steps into the role fresh off a tumultuous exit from the New York Liberty, where she orchestrated their historic 2024 championship run but stumbled in 2025 amid a rash of injuries to stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Her Liberty tenure ended abruptly Tuesday, with a franchise-record 107-53 mark overshadowed by a first-round sweep at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury. Yet, her pedigree— including a 2014 title with Phoenix and a storied playing career as a three-time WNBA All-Star—made her the Sky’s top target.

“Sandy’s a proven winner who builds cultures around elite talent,” Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca said in a packed Wintrust Arena press conference. “We’ve got young dynamos like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso ready to soar. With Sandy charting the course, Chicago’s sky’s the limit—pun intended.” Brondello, beaming beside Pagliocca, echoed the optimism: “This city’s passion for hoops is unmatched. I’m here to unlock our potential, grind through the rebuild, and chase rings. Let’s light up the court.”

The hire caps a whirlwind offseason for the Sky, who traded for veteran guard Ariel Atkins in November and re-signed Courtney Vandersloot despite her ACL setback. Fans, starved for success since the 2021 crown, erupted on social media, with #BrondelloToChicago trending nationwide. One supporter tweeted: “From Big Apple champ to Windy City wizard? Yes please! 🏀💨”

Brondello inherits a roster blending youth and grit: Reese’s rebounding prowess (12.8 per game last season), Cardoso’s interior dominance, and Atkins’ sharpshooting. Challenges loom—free agency looms for Chennedy Carter, and depth remains thin—but Brondello’s tactical acumen, blending zone defenses with fluid offenses, could transform the Sky into Eastern Conference contenders by 2026.

League insiders buzz about the ripple effects: Does this signal a coaching carousel spin toward Seattle’s Noelle Quinn? For now, Chicago’s focus is singular—resurrecting a dormant powerhouse. Preseason camps begin March 2026, with Brondello’s first regular-season tilt against her old Mercury squad on May 15. As the United Center faithful chant “De-fense!” one thing’s clear: The Sky’s horizon just brightened.