Team USA Sends Strong Message to Sue Bird on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Liz Lindain | Last updated May 8, 2025 7:18 PM ET

Team USA has officially named former basketball star Sue Bird as the new managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team.

The announcement was made Thursday morning on X by the official USA Basketball account, which shared a congratulatory message along with a video of Bird discussing her new role.

“New title, same mission: winning gold. ,” the caption writes. “@S10Bird is taking on a new challenge as the first managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team!”

Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, brings her leadership and experience to this new position.

New title, same mission: winning gold. @S10Bird is taking on a new challenge as the first managing director of the USA Basketball Women's National Team! pic.twitter.com/YasbgPDNd3
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) May 8, 2025

According to the video, Bird explains that this role was kind of "in the air" for her, and she has had many conversations over the past few years with Team USA Basketball about the position.

"When I sat down with it, it just became a no-brainer to want to take on this responsibility, to want to have this role, to want this program to continue winning gold medals," the former Seattle Storm player explained.

Bird was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft and spent her entire 21-year career with the Storm, becoming the league’s all-time assists leader. In 2025, she was elected as part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Off the court, she’s a strong advocate for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights. Bird retired in 2022, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and impact.

She was a key member of the USA Women’s Basketball Team in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020, helping lead the team to five consecutive Olympic gold medals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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