Sue bird Archives - womenssportsnow.com https://womenssportsnow.com/tag/sue-bird/ womenssportsnow.com Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:16:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 214932294 Sue Bird Retires After Hall of Fame Career https://womenssportsnow.com/sue-bird-retires-after-hall-of-fame-career/ https://womenssportsnow.com/sue-bird-retires-after-hall-of-fame-career/#respond Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:16:57 +0000 https://womenssportsnow.com/?p=28981

Sue Bird, one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, announced her retirement on June 16, 2023. The 41-year-old point guard spent her entire 19-year career with the Seattle Storm, winning four WNBA championships and two Olympic gold medals. Bird was a five-time WNBA All-Star and a two-time WNBA Finals MVP. She is the […]

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Sue Bird, one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, announced her retirement on June 16, 2023. The 41-year-old point guard spent her entire 19-year career with the Seattle Storm, winning four WNBA championships and two Olympic gold medals.

Bird was a five-time WNBA All-Star and a two-time WNBA Finals MVP. She is the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists (2,440) and steals (1,247). She is also one of only two players in WNBA history to win four championships and two Olympic gold medals.

“It’s been an amazing ride,” Bird said in a statement. “I’m so grateful for all the people who have helped me along the way, from my family and friends to my coaches and teammates. I’m also grateful for the fans who have supported me throughout my career.”

Bird’s retirement is a major loss for the WNBA. She was one of the league’s most popular players and a role model for young girls everywhere. She was also a great ambassador for the game, using her platform to speak out on social justice issues.

“Sue Bird is a legend,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “She is one of the greatest players in WNBA history, and she has been a role model for so many people. We are grateful for her contributions to the game, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Bird’s retirement leaves a void in the WNBA, but her legacy will continue to inspire players for years to come. She is a true champion, and she will be remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

In addition to her on-court achievements, Bird was also a pioneer for LGBTQ+ rights in the WNBA. She came out as gay in 2017, and she was one of the first openly gay athletes to sign a major endorsement deal. Bird’s decision to come out was a powerful statement, and it helped to pave the way for other LGBTQ+ athletes to be open about their sexuality.

Bird’s retirement is a significant loss for the WNBA, but her legacy will continue to inspire players for years to come. She is a true champion, and she will be remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

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]]> https://womenssportsnow.com/sue-bird-retires-after-hall-of-fame-career/feed/ 0 28981 WNBA Players Push for Private Flights for Player Safety and Health https://womenssportsnow.com/wnba-players-push-for-private-flights-for-player-safety-and-health/ https://womenssportsnow.com/wnba-players-push-for-private-flights-for-player-safety-and-health/#respond Sat, 04 Feb 2023 11:13:50 +0000 https://womenssportsnow.com/?p=8245 Breanna Stewart

The WNBA has been in the headlines lately, but not for the reasons players, fans, and the league would have hoped. The ongoing battle for private flights has come to a head, as players fight for better travel conditions and their own safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has made matters worse, with players expressing concerns over […]

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The WNBA has been in the headlines lately, but not for the reasons players, fans, and the league would have hoped. The ongoing battle for private flights has come to a head, as players fight for better travel conditions and their own safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has made matters worse, with players expressing concerns over the risk of flying commercially. The WNBA and its players are taking the matter into their own hands, with players like Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner at the forefront of the fight.

Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion, is joining the New York Liberty, and she is using her platform to boost the conversation. On social media, she wrote, “I would love to be part of a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA. I would contribute my NIL, posts + production hours to ensure we all travel in a way that prioritizes player health + safety, which ultimately results in a better product. Who’s with me?” Her post was met with overwhelming support, as players and fans rallied behind her. Even NBA players like Ja Morant and Kyrie Irving have offered their support, with the latter saying, “We gotta get something done, and I’m with them no matter how much it costs.”

Brittney Griner’s recent return from a 10-month detainment in Russia has brought attention to the league’s travel policies. As a free agent, Griner’s eventual return to the WNBA raises concerns about her safety in commercial flights. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said that the league is working with security experts to find the right solution for Griner’s situation, but players and fans are calling for a change to the rule for everyone.

The cost of charter flights is a major barrier, with Commissioner Engelbert estimating that it would be over $25 million per year to fund charter flights for an entire WNBA season. The league has already asked major airlines and charter companies for assistance, but it’s not something the league can do without sponsors stepping up. Commissioner Engelbert has said that the league would need a commitment in perpetuity from a sponsor, and the calls for support are growing louder.

The fight for private flights is just one of the many battles the WNBA is facing, but players and fans are hopeful that the conversation will lead to change. Four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird has said that “the best part about it is people are talking about it…that right there, in my experience, is how change starts and hopefully it’s the beginning of us getting those charter flights.” The WNBA has come a long way since its inception, but players and fans hope that the league will continue to evolve and improve, starting with better travel conditions.

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