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Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and five-time Olympic gold medalist, is the newest member of the team's ownership group Force 10 Hoops.
She joins an ownership group that includes Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder and Dawn Trudeau.
“As a player, I poured my heart into every game for the Seattle Storm, and now, as part of the ownership group, I am thrilled to continue contributing to the growth of the game,” said Bird in a news release Wednesday. “Investing in women's sports isn't just about passion; it's smart business. It's about recognizing the immense talent, dedication, and market potential our league has always had. Force 10 Hoops and the Storm have been at the forefront of this for decades. Together, we're not just shaping the future of basketball, but also paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive society."
The ownership group's announcement Wednesday comes less than a week after the team unveiled its new $64 million training facility and headquarters in Interbay. The facility featured Bird's likeness on the court and memorabilia throughout the building.
After 20 years in the WNBA, Bird officially ended her playing career in 2022. Among her many accolades, she was a 13-time All-Star and the first overall pick by Seattle in the 2002 draft. She finished her career as the league's all-time assist leader and was named to the All-WNBA team eight times.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sue into the ownership group after a storied career on the court,” Brummel said. “Her knowledge of the game and the league, her ever-expanding business acumen, and her dedication to the Storm organization, make her a superb addition to the ownership group.”
Go behind the scenes with team co-owners Lisa Brummel and Ginny Gilder during a tour of the brand new WNBA Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance in the Interbay.
The Storm — considered one of the WNBA's most successful franchises with 18 playoff appearances in 24 seasons — is one of only two teams in the league with its own practice facility. It tops the 12-team league with an estimated value of $151 million.
The team was purchased in 2008 for $10 million from Clay Bennett, who had acquired the Storm as part of the $350 million Sonics deal two years earlier. Bennett sold off the Storm just before relocating the Sonics to Oklahoma City.
