Sue Bird taking on new career challenge with USA Basketball ‘puzzle’

New York Post - May 9th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Sue Bird, the legendary WNBA star, has been appointed as USA Basketball’s first managing director for the women’s national team. This marks a significant shift from the previous committee-based selection process for the team’s roster and coaching staff. Bird will be responsible for making these decisions starting with the 2024 World Cup in Berlin. Initially hesitant, Bird was convinced by Grant Hill’s persistent efforts to take on the role. Her appointment is endorsed by fellow athletes like Breanna Stewart, who believes Bird's player perspective and strategic insight make her ideal for the position. Bird plans to integrate emerging talents like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers into the team, aiming to harness young star power for future competitions.

The shift in leadership comes at a crucial time for USA Basketball, as it looks to maintain its dominance on the international stage. Bird’s wealth of experience as a five-time Olympic champion is expected to bring a fresh perspective and innovative strategies to the women's team. Her openness to embracing new talent underscores her forward-thinking approach, which could redefine the team’s dynamics and success in upcoming tournaments like the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Bird’s leadership could also influence how the team navigates the challenges of limited training time and role adaptability, ensuring the players are well-prepared for international competitions.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Sue Bird's appointment as the first managing director of the USA Women's National Basketball Team. It highlights her qualifications and the support she has from peers, making a strong case for her suitability for the role. The story is timely and relevant, addressing a significant development in women's sports leadership.

However, the article could benefit from a broader range of perspectives to provide a more balanced view of the potential challenges and implications of Bird's appointment. While it effectively captures the main points and engages readers through personal insights, it could enhance its impact by exploring the broader significance of the change in leadership.

Overall, the article is well-written and informative, offering valuable insights into a notable development in sports administration. With minor improvements in balance and source diversity, it could provide an even more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The factual accuracy of the story is strong, as it correctly reports Sue Bird's appointment as the first managing director of the USA Women's National Basketball Team, a key development in women's sports. It accurately states that Bird will lead the decisions regarding the team’s roster and coaching staff, starting with the World Cup in Berlin. The story also correctly identifies Bird as a five-time Olympic champion, which aligns with known facts about her career.

However, the story could be more precise in detailing the exact timeline of when Bird was first approached for the role and how her perspective changed over time. While it mentions Grant Hill's role in recruiting Bird, it lacks specific examples of how he influenced her decision. These areas require further verification to ensure complete accuracy.

Overall, the article presents a well-supported narrative with only minor details needing additional confirmation. The claims about Bird's initial disinterest and eventual acceptance, as well as her plans to integrate young players like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, are plausible but would benefit from more detailed sourcing or direct quotes.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Sue Bird's appointment and her perspective, providing a detailed account of her new role and her thoughts on the transition. It includes supportive comments from Breanna Stewart, which adds another positive viewpoint on Bird's suitability for the role.

However, the story lacks a broader range of perspectives, such as those from other stakeholders in USA Basketball or critics who might have differing views on Bird's appointment. Including these perspectives could offer a more balanced view of the potential challenges or controversies surrounding the new selection process.

Overall, while the article is informative and supportive of Bird's new role, it could benefit from a wider array of voices to provide a more comprehensive picture of the implications of this change.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the main points of Sue Bird's appointment. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the significance of Bird's new role.

The use of direct quotes from Bird and Stewart adds clarity and authenticity to the narrative, allowing readers to hear directly from the individuals involved. However, the article could improve by providing more background on the selection process changes and the potential impact on the team.

Overall, the article effectively conveys the key information in a clear and engaging manner, though it could benefit from additional context to enhance reader understanding.

6
Source quality

The article relies on direct quotes from Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, both of whom are authoritative sources on the topic. Bird's statements provide firsthand insight into her thoughts and plans, while Stewart's comments offer a peer perspective.

However, the article does not cite any external sources or provide attribution for information about the previous selection process or Grant Hill's involvement. Including more diverse sources, such as statements from USA Basketball officials or other players, would enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting.

The reliance on a limited number of voices, primarily those directly involved, suggests a need for a broader range of sources to corroborate the claims and provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its presentation of Sue Bird's role and her statements about the new position. It clearly attributes quotes to Bird, providing readers with a direct view of her perspective.

However, the article does not disclose the methodology behind the reporting or the context in which Bird's statements were made beyond mentioning the press conference at Nike NYC Headquarters. More information about the circumstances of the interview or additional context about the changes in the selection process would enhance transparency.

Overall, while the article is straightforward in presenting Bird's views, it could improve by offering more background information and context about the broader implications of her appointment.

Sources

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/retirement-was-boring-wnba-legend-sue-bird-expresses-excitement-over-her-appointment-as-new-managing-director-of-usa-womens-national-team/articleshow/121005011.cms
  2. https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/sue-bird-joins-usa-basketball-as-first-managing-director/
  3. https://www.usab.com/news/2025/05/sue-bird-ready-to-continue-usa-basketball-legacy
  4. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/45051745/sue-bird-first-managing-director-us-women-team
  5. https://komonews.com/sports/storm/sue-bird-named-managing-director-of-usa-womens-national-team-wnba-career-seattle-storm-wnba-basketball-uconn-huskies-2002-draft-pick-impact-goat-legend-hall-of-fame-washington-state-woman-in-sports