Married WNBA coaches living in different places in bubble

Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello called her husband Olaf Lange and good-naturedly ribbed him that he was late for a zoom interview.

first-year Chicago Sky assistant replied that he was logging in as y were speaking. Sure eugh, before he could even finish sentence on phone his voice could be heard on computer screen.

y're both staying within WNBA bubble in Florida at IMG Acemy where all 12 teams are, but Brondello and Lange decided to live separately to maintain a level of professionalism. league offered to give m accommodations to live toger along with ir two children, Brody and Jayda, who split time with mom and d.

“We decided we’re with two different teams and re’s a little bit of professional integrity re,” Brondello said. “Olaf’s a first-year assistant with Sky and we thought it wold be better for him to be surrounded by his staff and for me to be surrounded by my staff.”

pair have been married for years and coached toger in WNBA and overseas. However, this season will be first that y're on opposing WNBA benches.

“This is our jobs, this is what we do, it’s great that we got to work toger," Brondello said.

Brondello has Jayda in hotel with her and Lange has Brody with him in a villa with or Chicago assistants.

“It’s like a dorm in college. Four males here,” Lange said. “We have frequent garings at kitchen table and we talk. He enjoys as a teenr w having this male energy around him.”

While Brody is spending time with his d, Jayda has been hanging out with Candace Parker's daughter Lailaa. two met years ago.

“y grew up toger when Candace was in Russia and we were coaching in Russia,” Brondello said. “y’ve kwn each or since Jayda was 18 months old."

While y have been living apart first two weeks in bubble, y have gotten toger for a few family meals. Brondello h both her kids with her when y first got to IMG Acemy and were quarantining for a few days.

“I h both of m living with me during quarantine, four days of that was eugh,” she said laughing.

two met years ago in Germany when Brondello was playing and Lange was a young assistant coach on that team. y’ve coached toger in San Antonio and in Russia and Lange is an assistant for Brondello with ustralian national team.

coaching duo have spent countless hours discussing basketball over years, but won't be doing scouting report on each ors teams before y play. Phoenix and Chicago meet twice in a span of six days on Aug. 6 and 12.

Neir coach is really focused on that game and both say family bragging rights won't be at stake.

“I'm sure (media) will make a much bigger deal out of it n we will,” Brondello said. “It's just ar game on our schedule."

Im credits: AP