Sue Bird Honored with Iconic Statue at Seattle Storm Ceremony

In a poignant ceremony prior to the Seattle Storm’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on August 17, 2023, legendary former guard Sue Bird was immortalized as the first WNBA player to receive a statue outside the Climate Pledge Arena. Bird, who dedicated her entire two-decade career to the Storm, expressed her pride in this historic recognition, emphasizing its significance for the future of women’s basketball.

A Moment of Reflection and Celebration

During her speech, Bird reflected on the achievement, stating, “People keep asking me what it feels like to be the first. The truth is that I never set out to be the first at anything, but if being the first means I won’t be the last, if this statue means that 20 years from now there will be statues of other WNBA greats — some who are in the audience and players whose names you don’t even know yet — then I’m proud to be the first.”

Bird’s illustrious career with the Storm includes leading the team to four WNBA championships, a record tied for the most in league history. She retired as the all-time leader in games played, minutes played, and assists, and made an impressive 13 All-Star appearances. Yet, as fellow speakers highlighted, Bird’s legacy transcends statistics and titles. Hall of Famer Swin Cash, who played alongside Bird at both the University of Connecticut and with the Storm, remarked, “Greatness changes the game. Greatness evolves. Greatness stays and has longevity. And that’s what Sue has.”

The unveiling of the statue serves as a fitting tribute to Bird’s impact on the sport and her community. She has received numerous honors since her retirement, including the Storm retiring her No. 10 jersey and the renaming of a street outside Climate Pledge Arena to “Sue Bird Court” in the summer of 2022. Bird will also be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.

The Symbolism Behind the Statue

Created by Roblatt Amrany Studio, the statue depicts Bird executing a layup, reminiscent of the silhouette featured on the Climate Pledge court. Bird explained her choice of pose, saying, “Some fun little fact about my career that maybe some of you know, maybe not, my very first points in the WNBA at KeyArena as a rookie were on a layup. My very final points in the WNBA were at Climate Pledge on a layup.”

The statue also captures Bird wearing the Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers, which she donned while winning her first Olympic gold medal and the Storm’s first championship in 2004. Bird, who actively participated in the statue’s design process, shared her excitement about the experience. “It was incredible; every time I went to the studio to walk in, it was like every little tweak became more and more me until finally I was underneath it and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s my nose. Oh, that’s definitely my hair.’

Discussions about Bird receiving a statue began in earnest following the Storm’s third championship in 2018, gaining momentum as Climate Pledge Arena opened before her final season. While other WNBA players, such as A’ja Wilson, have been honored with statues at their college campuses, Bird is the first to be recognized in this way at a WNBA arena, marking a significant milestone for female athletes in Seattle.

Bird joins the ranks of notable Seattle athletes like Ken Griffey, Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Ichiro Suzuki, who have also been honored with statues in the city. She expressed her pride in being recognized alongside such esteemed athletes, stating, “There’s just not a lot of women that are honored in this way, and we have tons of men. I’m actually really proud and honored, especially in the city of Seattle, to be with those other male athletes.”

As Bird concluded her heartfelt speech, she acknowledged her journey from a young player entering the league to a beloved member of the Seattle community. “I came to Seattle as Sue Bird the basketball player while leaving as Sue Bird the Seattleite,” she said. “This statue will make sure a piece of me stays in this city forever, just like this city will always be a part of me. And when you inevitably see a little bird poop on the shoulder, don’t worry about it. Just consider it family checking in and reminding me where home is.”