Jonathan Kolb, General Manager of the New York Liberty, is preaching patience despite the team's star-studded roster and high expectations for a championship. With a new head coach, Chris DeMarco, and an almost entirely new support staff, the team is overhauling its offense and establishing new defensive principles. Several key players are still completing overseas commitments, contributing to the need for a patient approach as the team builds connection on the court.
The Liberty's roster, arguably the league's best on paper, features five returning key members from their 2024 championship team, including Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Leonie Fiebich. They also added All-Star Satou Sabally in free agency, creating significant depth, length, size, and versatility. This talent allows for strong lineups, such as one with Jones, Stewart, Sabally, Fiebich, and Ionescu, all capable of defending, scoring, and creating their own shots.
Despite a strong start in 2025 where they won May with a 9-0 record, injuries ultimately derailed their season, leading to a first-round playoff exit. Kolb stresses that while talent can win games, the ultimate goal is connection and that achieving this, especially with a new system, will take time. He acknowledged the team's high ceiling and excitement about reaching it, while also noting that the core players are signed for the next three years, ensuring stability for future seasons.
Kolb's vision, supported by owners Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, has transformed the Liberty. This transformation has not only included on-court success but also significant financial growth, with over 100% growth in ticket sales, a 200+% increase in season ticket memberships, and a 58% increase in national TV ratings in 2023. Kolb made the "proactive" decision to part ways with 2024 championship-winning coach Sandy Brondello to bring "freshness" and "energy" to the team, highlighting the organization's relentless pursuit of sustained success.
