Sue Bird Immortalized: Statue Honors WNBA Legend in Seattle

Sue Bird Immortalized: A Women’s Basketball Legend in Seattle

In an emotional ceremony prior to the match between the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury, the iconic former player Sue Bird was honored with a statue outside Climate Pledge Arena. This recognition makes her the first WNBA player to receive such a distinction from her franchise.

“The truth is that I never set out to be the first at anything, but if being the first means that I won’t be the last, if this statue means that in 20 years there will be statues of other great WNBA players… then I’m proud to be the first”.

Sue Bird

Bird’s career in the league is unmatched. For two decades, she defended the Storm’s colors, leading the team to four WNBA championships, a record she shares with other franchises. In addition, she retired as the historical leader in games played, minutes played, and assists, accumulating 13 All-Star appearances. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Hall of Famer Swin Cash, who highlighted Bird’s significance beyond statistics.

“Greatness changes the game. Greatness evolves. Greatness remains and has longevity. And that’s what Sue has”.

Swin Cash

This tribute joins the numerous recognitions Bird has received, including the retirement of her number 10 jersey in 2023 and the renaming of the street in front of the Climate Pledge Arena to “Sue Bird Court”. The statue, created by sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany, depicts Bird in a jump shot, similar to the silhouette that appears on the Climate Pledge court. The choice of the jump shot has a special meaning, as her first and last points in the WNBA were scored this way. Bird actively participated in the creation process of the statue, which shows her wearing the Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers she used during her first Olympic gold medal and the Storm’s first championship in 2004. The idea for the statue came about after the Storm’s third championship in 2018 and was realized after her retirement. Bird is the first WNBA player to be honored with a statue outside a stadium. In his final words, Bird expressed his gratitude and pride for this recognition, highlighting his connection to the city of Seattle.