WNBA legend Sue Bird took the hardwood for her final regular-season home game on Sunday evening — to a historic crowd.
About 18,100 fans packed into Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle to celebrate Bird’s illustrious career, the team announced.
It was not only the largest crowd the Storm had ever garnered, but also the largest of any team in the arena to date.
More fans showed up for the game than any other WNBA game this season. For the Storm, it was the second consecutive sellout.
The rabid crowd watched a pregame retirement ceremony and got to listen to her live post-game speech. Though the Storm fell to the Las Vegas Aces, the vibe was reportedly electric — with the crowd chanting “Thank you, Sue!”
Bird, a UConn Huskies alum, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft. Since then, she’s been named an All-Star 13 times, won four championships, and garnered five Olympic gold medals. Bird is the WNBA’s all-time assists leader.
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26465842_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26636703-scaled-e1770932227605.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
