Sue Bird 'always wanted' to become part of Storm's ownership group - ESPN

Speaking to the media for the first time since being announced as the newest member of the Seattle Storm's ownership group, legendary retired player Sue Bird told reporters Monday, «This actually feels reminiscent to my rookie year in a sense.»

Drafted by the Storm with the No. 1 pick of the 2002 WNBA draft, Bird spent two decades as a player in Seattle before retiring at the end of the 2022 season with four championships and a record 13 All-Star appearances to her credit.

Given Bird's close ties to the city and the organization, making the move to team ownership was no surprise. Previously, Bird had invested in NWSL franchise NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2022 while still an active WNBA player.

«I feel like it was kind of inevitable in a lot of ways,» Bird said. «It was something that I've always wanted, something that I've always had in the back of my head. For whatever reason, this is just when it worked out. I've only been retired not even two years, so give me a second, right?»

Speaking on behalf of Force 10 Hoops, the team's ownership group, Lisa Brummel echoed that expectation of formalizing Bird's relationship with the organization beyond her retirement as a player.

«We've always had it in the back of our mind as well to welcome Sue to this group, but like she said, she needed a minute to live her life, „Brummel said. “She had a lot to do in the past year and this was a great time to bring our joint interests together and have her join the group.»

From the Storm and Gotham FC to sports media and clothing company TOGETHXR and A Touch More, the production company she launched with fiancée Megan Rapinoe, Bird's off-court investments have focused on growing women's sports. She's passionate about the financial opportunity as