Basketball player Sue Bird of the Storm will be the inaugural recipient of a statue in the WNBA, finding it "a little surreal."
In a historic move, the Seattle Storm has announced plans to immortalise one of their most iconic players, Sue Bird, with a larger-than-life bronze statue. The decision comes after Bird announced her retirement on June 16, 2022.
The funds for the statue were raised by Michael Parham and Brad Meyers, co-chairs of the Lenny Wilkens statue project, Storm co-owner Dawn Trudeau, and other generous contributors. The statue has been commissioned to acclaimed artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany, who has previously crafted statues for Seattle sports legends Lenny Wilkens, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Ichiro Suzuki.
Bird's statue, located on the Climate Pledge Arena plaza, is a testament to her 21-year career with the Storm, during which she won four titles in Seattle. The statue will reflect her 333-247 regular season record and 34-26 playoff record with the team.
Bird has chosen her all-time favourite Nike Huarache 2K sneakers and her uniform for the statue, symbolising her enduring style and commitment to the game. The statue will stand a few feet from Lenny Wilkens' statue, joining a shortlist of Seattle sports superstars with statues, with Ichiro scheduled to receive a statue next year.
The statue unveiling ceremony is set to take place on Sunday at 10 a.m. outside Climate Pledge Arena, followed by a free fan festival at noon. Rotblatt Amrany, the sculptor, takes pride in crafting the first statue of a WNBA player, a groundbreaking first for the league. An ample-sized crowd of Storm supporters is expected during the ceremony.
Sue Bird's statue is not just a tribute to her impact and legacy in Seattle sports but also a symbol of her undying spirit and the influence she had in the city. Her legacy is woven into the fabric of Seattle, and her leadership transcended basketball, helping shape a cultural shift.
With this statue, Bird becomes the first WNBA player to be honoured with a statue by a franchise and the first in a WNBA arena setting[1][2][3]. This monumental gesture solidifies Bird's place in Seattle sports history and celebrates her achievements in the WNBA.
[1] Seattle Times: Sue Bird statue: Storm legend to be immortalized with first WNBA statue by a franchise [2] ESPN: Sue Bird to become first WNBA player with statue by a team [3] Seattle Storm: Sue Bird to be honored with statue at Climate Pledge Arena [4] Seattle Times: Lenny Wilkens statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena, 50 years after Sonics' championship win
- The Seattle Storm has chosen to honor Sue Bird, a legendary player, with a large bronze statue, inspired by her retirement announcement on June 16, 2022.
- Michael Parham, Brad Meyers, Dawn Trudeau, and other contributors have raised funds for this statue, which has been commissioned to the acclaimed artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany.
- The statue will be situated on the Climate Pledge Arena plaza, reflecting Bird's 21-year career with the Storm, during which she won four titles in Seattle.
- The statue will showcase Bird in her favorite Nike Huarache 2K sneakers and uniform, symbolizing her enduring style and commitment to the game.
- The unveiling ceremony for the statue is planned for Sunday at 10 a.m. outside Climate Pledge Arena, followed by a free fan festival at noon.
- Sue Bird's statue, being the first for a WNBA player by a franchise and the first in a WNBA arena setting, solidifies her place in Seattle sports history and celebrates her achievements in the WNBA.
