🗽 BIG CHANGES IN NEW YORK

THE LIBERTY MOVE ON FROM SANDY BRONDELLO

For the first time in four years, the New York Liberty will have a new head coach.

On September 23, the team announced that they will not be renewing the contract of head coach Sandy Brondello. In a statement, General Manager Jonathan Kolb said the following

Erica L. Ayala had an emergency episode of Gotta Get Up to talk about the news and what could be next for the Liberty:

Brondello leaves the Liberty franchise in a lot better shape than when she found it in 2022. The team is one of the best in the WNBA and one of the most valuable going forward.

As Sandy transitions to a new chapter, she will know that she will always be remembered fondly for breaking New York’s championship drought and guiding the team to heights that never seemed possible.

That wasn’t the only big head coaching news in the WNBA this week. More on that in the next edition of Tempestade Talk…

🏆 THE FINAL FOUR IS HERE

WHO WILL BE CROWNED NEW WNBA CHAMPIONS?

The WNBA playoffs have been incredibly exciting thus far, and now that we are into the semifinals, the pressure will only pick up from here. Let’s see how things are looking currently.

#1 Minnesota Lynx vs. #4 Phoenix Mercury

The Lynx have been the best team in the WNBA throughout 2025. They have been excellent from the beginning of the year and have maintained that excellence even amidst an extended injury-related absence for Napheesa Collier. After dispatching the Golden State Valkyries in Round 1, they returned to action against a Phoenix team that was less than 48 hours removed from ending the New York Liberty’s reign as WNBA champions.

In the first quarter, Napheesa Collier scored 10 points and set the tone for this series. Alyssa Thomas matched Phee and made a statement of her own as the Mercury kept up with Collier and the Lynx’s early barrage. AT got the first quarter interview and let it be known that she and the Mercury are here to compete:

Phoenix led by seven points at halftime, but Minnesota was steady, steady, steady until they hit Phoenix with a fourth quarter knockout. The Lynx outscored the Mercury 23-10 in the fourth quarter, as Courtney Williams helped power the home team to a terrific victory. Minnesota is historically a good second half team, at risk to flip a game on its head at a moment’s notice. Two more wins before they’re back in the WNBA Finals.

Minnesota leads 1-0
Game 1 recap by Mitchell Hanson, Canis Hoopus

#2 Las Vegas Aces vs. #6 Indiana Fever

A’ja Wilson is making a STRONG case for greatest player in WNBA history. Wilson has been a superstar ever since she entered our public consciousness while at the University of South Carolina. From there, she has improved every year she’s been in the league. Wilson has carried the Aces franchise to the top of the WNBA, and she was the best player for the United States when they won their eighth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

As we’ve chronicled here at the Women’s Basketball Roundup, Wilson carried the Aces from the doldrums of the standings to the second seed. As Vegas went on their magical run, Wilson played at an historic level to secure her fourth Most Valuable Player award and third in the past four seasons. It’s been a long journey for Wilson, and it’s one she isn’t taking for granted.

“It’s truly a blessing to be able to be where I am,” Wilson said at her MVP press conference. “I don’t think I could ever put into words how special this moment is. … I was a young girl that didn’t even like the sport. I didn’t want to play it. I don’t like to sweat. But now my name’s in the history books forever.”

With this MVP, Wilson joined the most exclusive of clubs in American basketball history

Wilson is the gold standard of professional basketball and someone we should all try to aspire to.

Even with the joy of winning the award, there’s still work to be done. The Aces entered the semifinals after escaping a ferocious battle against the Seattle Storm. Their opponent on the other side is on a magical run of their own. The Indiana Fever have been besieged by injuries, but are still fighting, having reached the semis after stunning the Atlanta Dream in the final seconds of Game 3.

Indy set the tone early and never let up as their combination of tough defense and Kelsey Mitchell stole the show. Mitchell had 34 points on .521/.667/1.000 shooting splits as she dominated every defender put in front of her. Mitchell finished fifth in the MVP voting and has shown just how meaningful she is to this Fever franchise. If she can keep this up, Indiana has a chance to pull off one of the great upsets in WNBA history.

Indiana leads 1-0
Game 1 recap by Callie Fin, Las Vegas Review-Journal

💰 MONEY MOVES

 THE WNBPA GETS HELP FROM THEIR FRIENDS

We are almost a month away from the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring. It’s been a long road here, and it appears not to end anytime soon. There are still several issues on the table between the Players’ Association and the league office. As we draw closer to the deadline, the WNBPA is getting some major backup.

On September 10, the Democratic Women’s Caucus joined a call with the WNBPA and joined them in their fight for a fair and equitable CBA. Our very own Erica L. Ayala was on the call and was able to observe how the conversations went. WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike spoke at the call and set the scene for what the players are fighting for:

As the WNBA continues to set various attendance and revenue records, players have demanded their fair share. Their fight is important not just to sports fans but to the broader labor movement. In early September, the WNBPA gained support from the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

And when you take into account the WNBA league office actively trying to take the Sun away from Connecticut, their support becomes even more valuable.

Solidarity matters in labor fights. When you’re fighting for what’s right and what’s fair, it helps to have as many people behind you as possible. It lets you know that you’re not alone and you have supporters far and wide. The WNBPA has been steadfast in what they’re fighting for and aren’t settling for anything less. The deadline is fast approaching to get a deal done, and the pressure is rising. We’ve seen WNBA players be cool under pressure before, and they’ll be ready for the high stakes nature of these negotiations.

📰 WHAT WE’RE READING

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

• The Fever's playoff Odyssey: How veteran guard Sims encapsulates Indiana's underdog run by Erica L. Ayala for CBS Sports 

• How A’ja Wilson powered the Aces with another MVP-caliber season by Callie Fin, Las Vegas Review-Journal

• Kelsey Mitchell played in 6 losing seasons with the Indiana Fever. Now? She’s thriving by Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic

• The WNBA Superstar Who Left the Game in Her Prime by Jemele Hill, The Atlantic

• The Valkyries Served As the Perfect Tune-Up For Minnesota's Title Chase by Jonah Maves, Zone Coverage

• On the firing of Alan Sepinwall, the scary place we're in, and attempting to de-stupid the media by Maureen Ryan, Something Mo

⛹🏽‍♀️ UPCOMING GAMES

Here’s the schedule for the next few days (Eastern Standard Time)

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