Sue Bird & Corona Helping Fans Kick Back
Corona and WNBA legend Sue Bird are offering fans a fresh new way to enjoy the fan life this sports season with the Finer Recliner, a limited-edition Adirondack chair featuring upgrades that will maximize game-day viewing. As Bird’s 21-season career comes to a close, the iconic Mexican beer wanted to help her coast into retirement in comfort - and offer fans a chance to get in on the relaxation.
Today through Wednesday, June 14, consumers can enter for a chance to win one of five Finer Recliners by commenting on @CoronaUSA’s Sweepstakes post with @SBird10 on Instagram with #CoronaFinerRecliner and #Giveaway. FanNation Kicks was able to speak with Bird about her collaborations with Corona, the WNBA season, and of course, her undefeated sneaker game.
Everyone wants to know, is the Corona Finer Recliner as comfortable as it appears?
"Absolutely. We wouldn't call it the Finer Recliner if it wasn't. All jokes aside, it's super comfortable. It's like memory foam padding and has fun little details that are an ode to my career, my retirement, and the game of basketball. And it's got high-level features like the cupholder and the speaker. Overall it's a pretty fun way to sit and enjoy a Corona while watching a game."
This is your second collaboration with Corona. How have they been as partners?
"They've been amazing! Obviously, when you enter partnerships like this, you want to be aligned on multiple levels. But it makes it really special when a company actually sees you. So both collaborations we've done spoke not just to Sue Bird, the basketball player, but actually who I am and what I'm interested in, and what I like. It's very organic in that way and personalized for me."
So this is a sneaker website, and I must ask what sneakers are in your rotation for this spring and summer?
"I've been doing the high-top Chuck thing, so Devin Booker's shoes have been in my rotation a little bit. I always like to keep a pair of the vintage high-top Dunks, the black and white ones are some of my faves. And the newest Travis Scott Lows - those are on point. And I actually wear a pair of the all-white Paddas because that goes with anything."
Looking back on your career, what was your favorite hoop shoe?
"I can narrow it down to my top three. The original Uptempos was like '95 and was by far my favorite shoe of all time. I wore those when they came out - so I was in high school. I had like every color that I could possibly get that my parents would allow. Then I ended up wearing them in the WNBA my rookie year when they got re-released.
The next are the Huarache 2K4s; to me, that is a perfect basketball shoe. I did have a PE in those for the Seattle Storm, so I still have a bunch of them in green and yellow. Then in the 2004 Olympics, those were my shoes, so I had an Olympics PE as well. Then I wore the Kyrie's for the last seven years of my career. It's a tough choice as to which is my favorite, but I think I'd go with the 4s. I really liked the 4s."
Sue Bird dribbles the ball up the court.
Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Which WNBA player's signature sneaker line do you like the most right now?
"Well, you know I'm a Nike girl. So, it might get a little weird here. But I actually genuinely like Sabrina's, Nike or not. I think it's clean, and all these little personal touches and her logo is really cool. It's just a very sleek, clean shoe.
But if I was not Nike, I'd have to give a shout to Breanna Stewart. We'll keep it nameless, but shoutout to Stewie; that's my homie. I love that she has her own personal shoe."
Tougher question now; which of the four WNBA championships was your favorite?
"That's tough, but we'll keep it simple and say the first one. Nothing like the first."
What are your initial thoughts on the start of the new WNBA season?
"So far, so good! I think Opening Weekend was amazing, highlighted by some incredible basketball. We got a sneak peek at the super teams. Some other teams put some people on notice, whether you're talking about Connecticut, Chicago, D.C.
But overall, I think the weekend was memorable because of Brittney Griner. Seeing 'BG' back on the floor, having everyone welcome her the way they did, and honestly having her play the way she did. She played well in her first game, but in her second game, she had like 27/10, which is incredible when you think about all the things she's been through. So it's really great to see her back on the floor."
Do you have a prediction for this season's champion?
"It's tough to predict because the WNBA is like a sprint and a marathon at the same time. It's a sprint because the season is so short, but it's a marathon because so much can happen throughout the season.
I think it will surprise no one to say Las Vegas and New York. Right now, Las Vegas is looking more like a team - but that's to be expected because they have already established themselves. Whereas New York is a lot of new pieces. I said it months ago that D.C. (if they can be called a sleeper with that amount of talent), they're definitely being overlooked, though. D.C. is going to be a team to reckon with come the end."
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