Rumors

The Seattle Storm, in partnership with Climate Pledge Arena, announced today that a statue honoring WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Bird will be unveiled on Sunday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m. The Storm is the first franchise in WNBA history to dedicate a statue to a former player.

WNBA.com

Move over Lenny Wilkens, there’s another Seattle sports star coming to the neighborhood. Storm legend Sue Bird will be honored with a statue on Aug. 17 that will stand on the west plaza of Climate Pledge Arena next to the Wilkens statue, which was unveiled Saturday afternoon. “Lenny Wilkens’ legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle’s deep love of the game,” Storm President and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. “Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today. “The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can’t wait to celebrate Sue and all that she’s meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.”

Seattle Times

Last year, she joined the Storm ownership group as a minority investor and in May was named the first managing director of the USA Basketball women’s team. On Sept. 5-6, Bird will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. “Basketball has given me more than I can ever give back, but like everyone before me, I’ve tried to leave it in a better place,” Bird said two weeks ago in Knoxville, Tenn., when she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. “I hope I’ve shown young girls they can be fierce competitors and gracious teammates. That they can be strong and vulnerable. That they can lead and listen. And that they can pursue their dreams relentlessly, while lifting others up along the way.”

Seattle Times

USA Basketball will announce a major shift in its structuring on Thursday when Sue Bird is announced as the managing director for the USA women’s national team for the 2028 Olympic cycle, according to two sources close to the program.

New York Times

On ESPN's special broadcast of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament featuring Bird and Diana Taurasi, they had Jalen Suggs as a guest and asked him who the most challenging matchup he's had to deal with in the NBA. Suggs mentioned the Warriors star, prompting Bird to say that Curry must be mentioned among the greatest to ever do it — a debate that mostly revolves around LeBron James and Michael Jordan. “He should be up there with LeBron and Jordan,” Bird said, via NBA on ESPN on X (formerly Twitter).

Clutch Points

Shams Charania: WNBA legends: Sue Bird and Maya Moore have been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, sources tell ESPN. Bird: 13 WNBA All-Star teams, four championships. Moore: four-time champion, six-time All-Star.

x.com

Shams Charania: 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Danny Crawford, 2008 U.S. Olympic men's team, Billy Donovan, Micky Arison.

x.com

Ben Golliver: 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalists - Carmelo Anthony - Sylvia Fowles - Billy Donovan - Jerry Welsh - Tal Brody - Maya Moore - Dwight Howard - Sue Bird - Micky Arison - Mark Few - Jennifer Azzi - Buck Williams - Molly Bolin - Marques Johnson - Danny Crawford - Dusan Ivkovic - 2008 Olympic Redeem Team

Twitter

Clemente Almanza: The Basketball Hall of Fame announced the list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2025 Candidates include Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, Doc Rivers, Billy Donovan, Sylvia Fowles, Chamique Holdsclaw, Mark Few, Lisa Bluder, Marc Gasol, Micky Arison

Twitter

Tim Reynolds: LeBron James selected as Team USA's male flagbearer for Friday's Paris Olympics opening ceremony. James is the third U.S. basketball player to get the honor, joining Dawn Staley (2004) and Sue Bird (2021). pic.twitter.com/7wzX3EV3Z4

Twitter

Force 10 Hoops, owners of the Seattle Storm, is pleased to announce that WNBA legend Sue Bird, has joined the ownership group. Sue’s illustrious playing career spanned over 20 seasons with the Storm and included four WNBA championships, 13 All-Star Game appearances, eight All-WNBA teams, and five Olympic gold medals. “We are thrilled to welcome Sue into the ownership group after a storied career on the court,” said Seattle Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel. “Her knowledge of the game and the league, her ever-expanding business acumen, and her dedication to the Storm organization, make her a superb addition to the ownership group.”

WNBA.com

Sue Bird: We needed a woman on the headsets, too. So much nuance & storytelling missed. 26 is 26, tho.

Twitter

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are taking their show to the NBA. The two WNBA stalwarts will host their first NBA game together on ESPN, bringing back a programming concept that has proven popular during the network’s coverage of the NCAA women’s final four tournament.

Variety.com

The pair will call a noon game on Christmas between the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks and can be seen on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Scheduled guests include Jason Sudeikis, Tyrese Haliburton and Breanna Stewart.

Variety.com