The legendary Sue Bird is trading the hardwood for the broadcast booth, bringing her unparalleled basketball IQ to a new generation of fans. The Hall of Famer and four-time WNBA champion will serve as a studio analyst for NBC's WNBA coverage this season, a fitting full-circle moment for a player who grew up watching the league on the very same network.
Bird's role extends beyond game analysis. She will also host a series of exclusive feature stories on NBC and Peacock, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the league as it celebrates its landmark 30th season, which tips off on May 8th. For Bird, this move into broadcasting feels like a natural next step. "I’ve been circling broadcasting for a long time now," she told The Associated Press. "Given NBC’s history and legacy and where the WNBA is now, I am excited to be part of it."
The NBC broadcasts promise a heavy dose of nostalgia, featuring a return of the iconic "Roundball Rock" theme song by John Tesh. The track was synonymous with NBC's NBA and WNBA coverage in the 90s and early 2000s, with Bird's own rookie season in 2002 coinciding with the network's last WNBA broadcast until now. "There’s an excitement that comes with it," Bird said of the famous theme.
NBC Sports executives are thrilled to have a voice of Bird's caliber on the team. "There is no more accomplished player in the history of the WNBA and arguably in all of women’s sports than Sue Bird," said Betsy Riley, Senior Vice President at NBC Sports. Her transition from podcast host and ESPN commentator to this major network role underscores her status as a premier ambassador for the game, ready to guide viewers through what promises to be a historic WNBA season.