Sandy Brondello, head coach of the New York Liberty, is set to make her debut as a coach in the WNBA All-Star Game, held on July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. This year's All-Star Game will see a format where team selections are centered around captains, with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark receiving the most fan votes. Brondello will coach Team Collier, while Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve will coach Team Clark.
Brondello's selection as an All-Star coach comes as a result of the Liberty holding the best record in the Eastern Conference. The New York Liberty secured their first WNBA Championship in franchise history in 2024. The July 4th win against the Sparks marked Brondello's 92nd with the Liberty, tying her with Bill Laimbeer for second-most in franchise history.
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game marks the first time Indianapolis will host the league's midseason showcase. All-Star weekend includes the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge on July 18. The All-Star game will return to a "fantasy" draft format where Clark and Collier will pick from a list of 20 players, including Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. The results of the draft will be broadcast on ESPN during WNBA Countdown on July 8, 2025.
The announcement of All-Star starters and reserves has already generated buzz. Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm, is making her 10th All-Star appearance. Skylar Diggins of the Seattle Storm and Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury were named as reserves.
Caitlin Clark's presence has significantly impacted the WNBA, with her popularity boosting economic activity and franchise valuations. Before Clark joined the Indiana Fever, the team's valuation was $90 million, but now it has increased to $340 million. Clark's influence extends to merchandise sales, which have increased by 234%. The Indiana Fever have three players in the All-Star Game, even with a 9-9 record. Clark's teammate Kelsey Mitchell has been named a WNBA All-Star Game reserve. Clark is currently dealing with a groin injury, but has still managed to play at an extremely high level.
Sandy Brondello, an Australian native, has had an accomplished career as both a player and a coach. She is a four-time Olympian and a two-time silver medalist. In 2014, she was named WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Phoenix Mercury to a WNBA Championship. Brondello also coaches the Australian women's national team. She combines this role with her WNBA coaching duties.
Brondello's coaching career includes 17 playoff appearances and four WNBA Finals appearances. She was named the New York Liberty head coach in January 2022. The Liberty won the Commissioner's Cup Championship in 2023.
The upcoming All-Star game promises excitement as Sandy Brondello leads Team Collier against Cheryl Reeve's Team Clark in Indianapolis.
