SEATTLE — Basketball legend, Sue Bird has a long and decorated career in Seattle, but on Sunday Bird will receive another honor, a statue outside of Climate Pledge Arena.
The unveiling will take place during a special press conference at Climate Pledge Arena. KOMO News will livestream the press conference beginning at 9:15 a.m. Sunday.
That same day, the Storm is set to play the Phoenix Mercury, at 3 p.m. and team officials are calling the match the “Forever Sue” game.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to celebrate the statue with a community fan fest at noon, and the first 7,500 fans will receive an action photo drawing of Bird.
“For over two decades, the city of Seattle supported me, both on and off the court. It’s because of this community that Seattle will forever hold a special place in my heart. 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,” said Bird.
The Seattle Storm is the first WNBA team in history to dedicate a statue to a former player.
The statue was created by Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, according to Storm officials she is the same sculptor behind other Seattle sports statues including those of Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Dave Niehaus at T-Mobile Park.
“Sue is basketball royalty and a Seattle icon. We are thrilled she will have a permanent place outside the home of Seattle basketball, Climate Pledge Arena, where she finished her career,” said Hewan Teshome, General Counsel of Climate Pledge Arena.
Before retiring and becoming a minority owner of the Storm in 2022, Bird spent all of her 22 seasons in the WNBA with the Storm.
Drafted No. 1 overall by the Storm in 2002 she led the team to win four WNBA championships in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020.
Bird is also an Olympic gold medalist, WNBA All-Star, Hall of Famer and the Storm retired her number in 2023.