Context:

Sue Bird has been appointed as the managing director of the USA Basketball women's national team, a newly created position that signifies a shift in how the team is structured and led. This role, similar to what the men's team has with Grant Hill, entrusts Bird with the responsibility of assembling the team’s roster and coaching staff, moving away from the previous committee-based selection process. Bird, a five-time Olympic champion, brings her extensive experience and leadership to the role, aiming to continue the team's tradition of success on the international stage. The position involves high pressure and significant responsibility, as the main goal remains winning the gold medal, a standard Bird is familiar with from her playing days. Her term as managing director will span the four-year Olympic cycle, during which she will also oversee preparations for the FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Dive Deeper:

• Sue Bird's appointment as managing director marks a significant structural change for USA Basketball, transitioning from a committee to an individual leader responsible for team assembly and coaching decisions.

• Bird's extensive experience as a five-time Olympic champion provides her with the necessary insight and leadership skills to succeed in her new role, following a model similar to the men's national team led by Grant Hill.

• The decision to appoint a managing director has been in development since after the 2021 Olympics, with Bird having served on the board and deliberating over this role for some time.

• USA Basketball's goal remains clear: to win gold medals, a target Bird is accustomed to, given her history with the team and her understanding of the competitive pressures at the international level.

• Bird's responsibilities include selecting both players and a coaching staff, a task she has begun considering by listing potential candidates, recognizing the pool of talent in college and the WNBA.

• The new role allows for a long-term vision for the women's national team, which was difficult to achieve with a committee that met sporadically, and Bird's appointment is expected to streamline the team's operations.

• Bird's four-year term aligns with the Olympic cycle, during which she will lead the team in significant events, including the FIBA World Cup in Germany and preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.