Sue Bird is gearing up for her sixth Olympic Gold Medal, but this time she’s stepping into a new role—her first in an administrative position.
Reports indicate that Bird will be named Managing Director of the US Women’s National Basketball Team for the upcoming Olympic Cycle. This announcement was expected to come out Thursday, showcasing a significant shift in how US basketball manages its player roster and coaching staff.
Currently, the committee is making these decisions, but Bird is set to assume a role similar to Grant Hill’s, who served on the men’s side from 2021 to 2024. According to the reports, she’ll have the final say in important matters.
At 44, Bird seems like a natural choice for this groundbreaking position, aiming to guide the team toward its ninth consecutive Olympic gold after a narrow escape at the Paris Games last summer.
Bird’s accolades are impressive. She boasts five Olympic Gold Medals and four World Cup titles, not to mention her success as a four-time WNBA champion and multiple-time champion in both the Russian National League and Euroleague. She also has two NCAA titles to her name.
Even though Bird retired from the WNBA in 2022, her connection to the game remains strong, and she wields considerable influence.
Recently, the US Women’s National Team stirred things up by leaving Caitlyn Clark off the final roster for the Paris Olympics.
Diana Taurasi has already indicated that the summer 2024 tournament will be her last Olympics. As she prepares for her retirement, a fresh wave of talent, including Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, is looking to shape the roster for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
It’s clear that Bird has her work cut out for her, especially with other national programs like France, Germany, and Australia raising their competitive profiles.
