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yesterday

Sue Bird Honored with First-Ever WNBA Statue at Climate Pledge Arena

Unveiled on Aug. 17, the eight-foot, 650-pound bronze by Julie Rotblatt-Amrany captures Bird mid-layup to symbolize career bookends, marking a turning point for public recognition of women athletes.

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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 unveiling ceremony on Aug. 17 at Climate Pledge Arena included a morning press conference, speeches by former coaches and teammates, a community fan festival and the Storm’s game against the Phoenix Mercury.
  • Sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany crafted the eight-foot, 650-pound bronze depicting Bird making a layup while wearing her Nike Air Zoom Huarache sneakers.
  • Bird, who helped select the pose and footwear, said she hopes “if being the first means I won't be the last” and that the statue will pave the way for more WNBA players to be commemorated.
  • Over her 21-season career with Seattle, Bird led the Storm to four WNBA titles and retired in 2022 as the league’s all-time leader in games played, minutes and assists.
  • Positioned near Lenny Wilkens’s statue, the monument is the first outside a WNBA arena and has drawn celebratory remarks from the WNBA, the Seattle Storm and city officials.