WNBA Legend Sue Bird Got Her Own Barbie
Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has company when it comes to Barbie, and it comes in the form of WNBA and women's basketball legend Sue Bird. Mattel revealed Bird is the subject of a custom version of the iconic doll. Sue's rendition is part of Barbie's 65th anniversary and is meant to celebrate her record-breaking career and the role it played in growing the women's game.
Continuing Barbie's 65th Anniversary celebration, the brand created the Sue Bird Role Model doll, which is available now.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) July 16, 2024
The doll is meant to honor Sue's record-breaking legacy, which pioneered growth in the women's league.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/Egq7TJKmwW
Bird's illustrious career is of course worthy of the honor. Bird was an All-American and National Player of the Year at UConn before becoming the first pick in the WNBA Draft in 2002 by the Seattle Storm. She played 22 seasons in the W winning four championships. Bird is the all-time assists leader in league history and also holds the record for most wins in a career. She has 13 All-Star selections and five Olympic gold medals to go along with that.
NEW: Barbie is releasing their Sue Bird Role Model doll to honor the basketball legend whose record-breaking legacy pioneered the way for growth in the women’s league. pic.twitter.com/VogiGFlKxv
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) July 16, 2024
Here is what Bird told People Magazine about being captured in Barbie form. “I was really excited when I heard. I grew up playing with Barbies so it's kind of a surreal moment when something like this happens...Now little girls and little boys are going to see a professional women's basketball player in the form of a Barbie and they're going to tap into that story, they're going to tap into that career and they're going to think ‘Oh, this is something I could do,’ and that's really powerful.”
Anyone who looks Sue Bird up as a result of the Barbie will have no choice but to be impressed with her accomplishments.
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!
Follow robinlundberg