Sue Bird is returning to Team USA in a new role, USA Basketball announced Thursday. The five-time Olympic champion is the first managing director of the women’s national team.
The newly created position puts her in charge of selecting the team’s roster and coaching staff for international competitions. That includes the upcoming 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, as well as the associated training camps. Previously, those decisions were made by committee.
“It’s a huge honor to be named managing director of USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team,” Bird said in a statement. “Representing the United States has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support the next generation as they carry that legacy on.”
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The Americans have won 10 overall and eight straight Olympic gold medals in an unprecedented display of dominance. Bird played in five of those, making her final Olympic appearance as a player in Tokyo in 2020.
A 13-time All-Star, Bird retired from the WNBA in 2022. Her legendary career also included four WNBA titles over nearly two decades with the Seattle Storm. Bird is a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee.
“Sue is one of the most respected people in the basketball community,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said of the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee. “Having known Sue for many years, I’m confident her leadership and knowledge will be a huge asset to the continued success of our women’s national team program, and we’re excited to have her join us as we head towards the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.”
While Team USA still ultimately stood atop the podium in Paris in 2024 without Bird, the committee’s decision to leave then-WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark off the roster made headlines. Those decisions will now be Bird’s alone to make, as will coaching appointments.
The managing director role already exists on the men’s side, held by seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill since 2021. The USA Basketball Board of Directors approved Bird’s appointment for the position, which she will hold for the next four years.
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve led the team to gold last summer. Reeve took the helm as head coach in 2022 after serving as an assistant for many years. Bird told the Associated Press she does not have a timeline on coaching staff selections, but noted the vast number of qualified coaches to consider.