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2d ago

Sue Bird Becomes First WNBA Player Honored With Arena Statue in Seattle

The bronze outside Climate Pledge Arena stands as the WNBA’s first player statue, recognizing Bird’s two-decade, four-title legacy in Seattle.

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SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 17: Sue Bird smiles during Sue Bird's statue unveiling on August 17, 2025 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Scott Eklund/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The eight-foot, 650-pound bronze by sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany shows Bird finishing a layup, a pose she chose to mirror her first and last WNBA points.
  • Bird specified details down to Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers, linking the look to her 2004 Olympic gold and the Storm’s first championship.
  • The Aug. 17 unveiling preceded Seattle’s game against the Mercury, featured tributes from former teammates and civic leaders, and drew an official salute from the WNBA.
  • The longtime Storm point guard is the league’s career assists leader with 3,234, a 13-time All-Star, and Seattle’s first female athlete commemorated with a statue.
  • Seattle lost the commemorative game 85-82 to Phoenix, and Bird is slated for Naismith Hall of Fame induction later this year.