Storm announce the return of Sue Bird
Apr 24, 2024, 3:23 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2024, 8:03 pm
Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm looks on during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle basketball legend Sue Bird is returning to the WNBA Storm — as an owner.
The team’s ownership group, Force 10 Hoops, made the announcement on the Storm’s website.
Bird played 19 seasons – her entire professional career — with the Storm. The point guard amassed an impressive resume that includes four WNBA championships, 13 All-Star Game appearances, and five Olympic gold medals.
A fan favorite, the packed crowd at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle chanted “Thank you, Sue” at her final career game in September 2022.
Related news: Seattle Storm unveil new Interbay practice facility, alternative uniforms
“We are thrilled to welcome Sue into the ownership group after a storied career on the court,” Seattle Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel said in a statement. “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.”
“As a player, I poured my heart into every game for the Seattle Storm, and now, as part of the ownership group, I am thrilled to continue contributing to the growth of the game,” Bird said. She added that investing in women’s sports is smart business.
The ownership group recently opened a $64 million practice facility in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood. It’s a massive upgrade for the franchise after spending more than a decade using a secondary court at Seattle Pacific University in the same area of Seattle as its primary practice facility during the season. It also brings together the basketball and business sides of the team operations under one roof.
Women’s basketball also is enjoying a boost in popularity. Almost 19 million people viewed the women’s recent NCAA basketball championship game where the South Carolina Gamecocks completed an undefeated season with a victory over Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes.
The storm will open the WNBA season at home Tuesday, May 14 against the Minnesota Lynx.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Heather Bosch is an award-winning anchor and repo.rter on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of her stories here. Follow Heather on X, formerly known as Twitter, or email her here.
