Seattle already knew Sue Bird was one of one. Now, the rest of the world will see it—cast in bronze.
The Seattle Storm announced that a statue of Bird, the franchise legend and Hall of Famer, will be unveiled on Monday, August 18 (PH time), ahead of their game against the Phoenix Mercury.
Save the date 📅🐦
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 2, 2025
📰 https://t.co/ZyRQ8FuHWm
With this, Bird will become the first player in WNBA history to have a statue dedicated to her by a team, set to stand outside Climate Pledge Arena.
“Sue’s legacy isn’t just written in championships—it’s woven into the fabric of Seattle,” Storm President and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement.
“Her leadership transcended basketball and helped shape a cultural shift—one that expanded who gets to lead, who gets seen and who gets celebrated,” she added.
The first player to be honored with a statue by a WNBA franchise 🫡
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 3, 2025
Bird spent her entire career with the Storm after being selected first overall in the 2002 WNBA Draft. She led the franchise to four championships (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020), earned 13 All-Star selections, and holds the WNBA record for most career assists with 3,234.
“For over two decades, the city of Seattle supported me, both on and off the court,” Bird said in a statement. “This statue isn’t just for me—it’s for anyone out there hoping to one day pursue their passions and live out their dreams.”
We can't wait to celebrate with you, Sue 💚
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 2, 2025
A five-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time FIBA World Cup champion, and a 2025 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Bird was also recently named the first managing director of the USA Women’s National Team, where she is helping shape the future of the sport on the international stage.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist and 13-time WNBA All-Star Sue Bird will be the first managing director of the USA Women’s National Team, USA Basketball announced. pic.twitter.com/v2UJjkGpf2
— ESPN (@espn) May 8, 2025
“Her success at all levels is a testimony to the magnitude of her career,” Storm co-owner Dawn Trudeau said. “We are thrilled to celebrate her in this lasting way, where fans can admire her statue and be reminded of what greatness looks like for years to come.”
Currently, the Storm (10–7) sit fifth in the 2025–26 WNBA standings, having gone 7–3 over their last 10 games.
