Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

WNBA Reacts to Historic Sue Bird News on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Aug 17, 2025 2:14 PM ET

Sue Bird is one of the most iconic figures in WNBA history. And on Sunday afternoon, the league's all-time assist leader will be immortalized even further.

Bird played her entire 21-year WNBA career with the Seattle Storm, notching 13 All-Star selections and four WNBA championship titles. The franchise has already retired her No. 10 jersey — and now she's being recognized with another honor.

The Storm will unveil a bronze statue of Bird outside of Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday. The ceremony will kick off a full day of celebration leading up to Seattle's matchup against the Phoenix Mercury.

Bird is the first athlete in WNBA history to be honored with a statue.

The WNBA took to social media to react to this historic news on Sunday.

"21 seasons. 4 titles. 1 statue. Sue Bird will be forever immortalized in Seattle TODAY at 1pm/ET. The first-ever WNBA player to receive a statue from her franchise," the league wrote on X.

21 seasons.
4 titles.
1 statue.

Sue Bird will be forever immortalized in Seattle TODAY at 1pm/ET. The first-ever WNBA player to recieve a statue from her franchise #ForeverSue pic.twitter.com/zaFw09dwR2
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 17, 2025

"Big day energy. The legend herself, Sue Bird, has arrived for her statue unveiling in Seattle," the WNBA added in another post.

Big day energy

The legend herself, Sue Bird, has arrived for her statue unveiling in Seattle.#ForeverSue pic.twitter.com/HgAO1vlSgh
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 17, 2025

“Sue’s legacy isn’t just written in championships — it’s woven into the fabric of Seattle,” Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. “Her leadership transcended basketball and helped shape a cultural shift — one that expanded who gets to lead, who gets seen and who gets celebrated.”

Bird will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September.

Seattle currently hold No. 8 position in the WNBA standings with a 17-17 record. The Storm will tipoff against the Mercury at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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

More must-reads: