Sue Bird Named Managing Director of U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team

USA Basketball is undergoing major structural changes this week, and among the most notable developments is the appointment of Women's National Basketball League (WNBA) legend Sue Bird as the new managing director of the U.S. women’s national basketball team. The decision, not yet publicly announced, was confirmed by a person familiar with the organization’s plans who requested anonymity.

At 44, Bird brings an unparalleled résumé to the role. As a player, she helped lead Team USA to five Olympic gold medals and four World Cup championships. Now, she steps into a leadership position often referred to as the “Grant Hill” or “George Hill” role, managing key decisions such as player rosters and coaching staff selections for major international tournaments like the Olympics and World Cup.

This marks a significant shift in how the women’s national team will operate. Traditionally, roster and staff choices were made by committee. Bird’s hiring reflects her stature within the sport and suggests she will have far greater autonomy in shaping the team moving forward.

The men's program has used a managing director model for years, starting with Jerry Colangelo in 2005. George Hill succeeded him in 2021, continuing the centralized leadership approach. Bird will now report to Briana Weiss, mirroring the men's team structure where Hill works closely with day-to-day operations manager Sean Ford.

Bird's first challenge will come quickly. The women’s team begins its qualification campaign for the 2026 FIBA World Cup this November. With limited time to evaluate talent and build chemistry, Bird faces an immediate test in balancing performance and politics—especially after the backlash that followed Caitlin Clark's omission from the 2024 Olympic roster.

Bird’s leadership announcement also comes as she expands her media presence. She is launching a new WNBA-focused podcast, Bird’s Eye View, in partnership with Vox Media. Debuting May 16, the show will be available on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

"It’s going to be rooted in the ways in which the conversation that I can have might be different from an analyst or journalist," Bird told The Hollywood Reporter. "It’s going to be player to player, in a sense."

Bird’s dual roles in media and national team leadership mark a new chapter in her storied basketball career—one where her voice may prove just as influential off the court as it was on it.

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