In a move that solidifies her legendary status within the WNBASeattle Storm franchise, Sue Bird, the iconic point guard who devoted nearly two decades to the team, has taken on a new role as co-owner.

Bird set to continue Seattle Storm legacy

Bird, who was the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft and contributed significantly to all four of Seattle’s championship victories, joins the ownership group ahead of the 2024 WNBA season.

Announced by the Storm on Wednesday, Bird’s transition from court to boardroom marks a significant chapter in her storied career.

Reflecting on her journey, Bird expressed excitement about continuing to contribute to the growth of women’s basketball, not just as a player but also as a businesswoman.

“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 expressed in a news release.

“Investing in women’s sports isn’t just about passion; it’s smart business. It’s about recognizing the immense talent, dedication, and market potential our league has always had. Force 10 Hoops and the Storm have been at the forefront of this for decades. Together, we’re not just shaping the future of basketball, but also paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive society.”

Her investment underscores the importance of recognizing the talent and market potential within the league, emphasizing the path toward a more equitable and inclusive society.

Joining the likes of Lisa Leslie and Renee Montgomery, Bird becomes just the third former WNBA player to take on ownership responsibilities within the league.

Her close ties to Seattle and the Storm had previously hinted at such a move, aligning with her vision for the future of women’s sports.

Storm unveil new facilities valued at $64 million

In addition to Bird’s ownership announcement, the Storm unveiled their state-of-the-art performance center, a testament to the team’s commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

Valued at $64 million, the facility represents a significant upgrade for the franchise, providing players and staff with top-notch amenities and a sense of home.

Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel emphasized the importance of creating a space that goes beyond mere practice grounds, embodying the essence of the franchise and its connection to the Seattle community.

“We built a home. We built a home for our players. We built a home for our staff. We built a home in this community for the Seattle Storm,”Brummel said.

“I hope as you go through the building you will feel that.”

The facility’s design incorporates elements of Storm history, from championship memorabilia to nods to the city’s skyline, paying homage to the team’s rich legacy.

For Bird, this new venture marks another milestone in her post-retirement endeavors, adding to her already impressive portfolio of investments and projects.

As she transitions into this new role, Bird’s dedication to the Storm organization and her vision for the future of women’s basketball shine through, cementing her legacy both on and off the court

The coaching staff also recognizes their significance in terms of match outcomes and how they can impact results as the team looks ahead to the remainder of the season.  

“We have to continue to train what we believe in. I thought at the back end of last season we ended up in second place with a lot of the same group playing a certain way and being really solid in what we want it to look like and that hasn’t quite come out enough lately, especially in the final third,” said Assistant Coach Andy Rose. “So, [we need to] continue to work, continue to give the players confidence, continue in training to really push the levels, push the standards, make sure everybody’s on the same page and bought in and reward guys that are doing that.” 

A couple daunting road tests on the horizon, the team’s mindset is to take it game by game, with their main priority being Saturday’s match against D.C. United.

“All focus has to be on D.C. and really go in there with the belief that we can get three points,” said Rose. “We understand it’s going to be a really tough game. They’ve got a new coach this season, a really good coach, and they play with a ton of energy and a lot of belief. So, for us, it needs to be really thinking about the fundamentals and ensuring that technically, we’re really sound on the ball.”

Seattle – Thursday through the weekend will be much cooler and wetter as a series of weather systems hit Western Washington.

A weak front will push inland Wednesday bringing showers at times, especially in the afternoon. Temperatures will fall about 10 to 15 degrees from Tuesday’s highs.

A more organized system will hit Thursday, sending widespread rain across Western Washington. Thursday has a good chance of being wet from start to finish with showers lingering into Friday morning.

The Puget Sound area could see a half inch to an inch of rain Thursday, which is much needed. Seattle has less than a half inch of rain in the bucket for April so far. The average for the entire month is 3.18 inches.

On top of the rain, snow levels will also be dropping to around 4,000 to 5,000 feet over the coming days. The higher mountain passes could see a few inches of snow.

Overall, this is going to be a cool and showery week with daytime highs struggling to get out of the 50s.