Sue Bird Named USA Women's Team Managing Director

Sue Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time WNBA champion, has been named the first managing director of the USA women's national basketball team, marking a major shift from the previous committee-led approach. Bird will have primary authority over player and staff selections for international competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her four-year term aligns with the Olympic cycle and comes after Team USA's narrow gold medal win over France at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This appointment reflects USA Basketball's strategy to maintain competitiveness and inspire engagement as global interest and opportunities in women's basketball grow. Bird will collaborate with USA Basketball officials to help shape the program’s long-term direction. Her move from Hall of Fame player to executive is seen as pivotal for the future of American women's basketball.