Image Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Sue Bird Receives Historic Seattle Tribute With Unveiling of First-Ever WNBA Statue at Storm Arena

Seattle Storm celebrates franchise legend with historic unveiling

Image Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Seattle made history on August 17, 2025, when the Storm unveiled a statue of Sue Bird outside Climate Pledge Arena. The monument is the first ever dedicated to a WNBA athlete, cementing Bird’s legacy in both basketball and the city’s sporting history.

Mayor Bruce Harrell proclaimed the date as “Sue Bird Day,” with the ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Fans, community members, and former teammates gathered to witness the tribute to the player who defined two decades of Storm basketball. Bird attended the event with her fiancée, soccer star Megan Rapinoe.

The Sue Bird statue is a thing of beauty 🤩#ForeverSue pic.twitter.com/iJd9G1V5wy
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 17, 2025

The statue unveiling acknowledged Bird’s contributions on and off the court. Over her career from 2002 to 2022, Bird became synonymous with the Storm, leading the franchise to four WNBA championships while also claiming five Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

Tributes from former teammates highlighted not just her athletic excellence, but also her leadership beyond the court. Many spoke of Bird’s influence on younger players and her role in advancing women’s basketball visibility across the country.

Sue Bird Statue Milestone for Women’s Basketball Recognition

During her speech, Bird reflected on the honour. “I’m the first player to ever have a statue built, and that fact both humbles me and fills me with pride,” she said. “This statue isn’t just for me, it’s for anyone out there hoping to pursue their passions and live out their dreams.”

Sue’s former teammate and @seattlestorm legend Lauren Jackson receives a standing ovation 👏

She caught a 24-hour flight from Australia to be here for Sue Bird’s statue unveiling 💚

PHX–SEA | League Pass | #WNBARivalsWeek presented by @Ally pic.twitter.com/d76tTnEZXq
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 17, 2025

The celebration extended beyond the arena. The Space Needle raised a flag in Bird’s honour, creating a citywide moment of recognition. Local artist Keegan Hall contributed further to the festivities by providing a special drawing of Bird to the first 7,500 attendees.

The statue stands as a symbol of Bird’s influence, but also as a marker of progress for women in sports. In her remarks, Bird expressed the hope that this recognition would pave the way for future WNBA stars to be celebrated in similar fashion.