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.
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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.
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
(WSB file photo. No outdoor cap tosses this year!)
Tomorrow (Monday, June 1) brings not only a new month but also the first graduation ceremony of the season for West Seattle’s three biggest high schools. And all are graduating at new venues this year. Summit Atlas, which after nine years remains West Seattle’s only charter school, will graduate 55 seniors in a ceremony at Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien at 6 pm Monday. West Seattle’s two major public high schools, Chief Sealth International HS and West Seattle HS, both have graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, June 17, at McCaw Hall (hosting graduations while Memorial Stadium is being rebuilt) – CSIHS at 5 pm, WSHS at 8 pm. The Seattle Public Schools webpage for graduation info also lists where and when ceremonies are planned for its alternative programs, some of which hold classes in West Seattle.
The Seattle Seahawks lost a key member of the front office to the Minnesota Vikings, as the NFC North team named Nolan Teasley its new general manager. The hire could change the fortunes of both teams in the immediate future.
Teasley will be taking over a Vikings team that isn’t far away from contending. One of the key reasons the team fired former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wasn’t that he couldn’t build a collection of talent, but that he didn’t seem to understand how to get the best possible answer at the most important position in sports: Quarterback.
Vikings fans watched as former QB1 in Minnesota, Sam Darnold, signed with the Seahawks last offseason, and then followed that by helping lead his team to a Super Bowl victory. That was Seattle’s second title. Minnesota has never won a Super Bowl.
Teasley, though, has the experience and, clearly, the ability to create an environment in which a team will thrive. He has been working with general manager John Schneider in Seattle since 2013, and has worked in scouting and been the director of pro personnel. He has most recently served as Schneider’s assistant GM.
Schneider could very well be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day after leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowl wins. Still, with teams with two completely different rosters and coaching staffs (Schneider is the only GM to ever do that), Teasley would have learned at the knee of one of the best to ever perform general manager duties.
Nolan Teasley could also be entering a situation where his new team is already poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. Minnesota finished 9-8 last season despite the fact that its quarterback play was among the worst in the NFL. This offseason, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray.
Murray underwhelmed or was injured throughout his career with the Arizona Cardinals, as Seattle Seahawks fans know well due to their favorite team counting on two wins every season against the NFC West brethren, but under the wise direction of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Murray could be coaxed into playing a much better form of football.
As the Minnesota Vikings play in the NFC, and could potentially be a difficult obstacle for the Seahawks to repeat as Super Bowl champions, Teasley is already in a good spot. The issue for Seattle is that Teasley is smart enough to make moves to get Minnesota even better well into the future. A great rivalry between Seattle and the Vikings might be about to start.
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