Why Sue Bird Thinks Women’s Sports Has Finally Broken Through | The Deal

TL;DR

Sue Bird discusses her transition from basketball star to business mogul.

Transcript

On this episode of The Deal, Sue Bird. Alright, listen to this resume. Two National Championships with UCONN, four WNBA Championships with the Seattle Storm. Five gold medals for the United States of America. She did it all as a player. Now she's in your business as an owner. How's she doing? It sounds like she's doing pretty good. Not only is she ... Read More

Key Insights

• Sue Bird's transition from a world-class athlete to a businesswoman reflects her ability to pivot and apply her skills in new arenas, including media and entrepreneurship.
• Bird co-founded Togethxr, a media and commerce company, with other prominent athletes to focus on women's sports stories, highlighting a gap in the market.
• Her decision-making in investments often relies on intuition and personal connections, emphasizing trust in people over the specifics of the business.
• Bird's investment in the Seattle Storm ownership group came after careful consideration of her post-retirement career impacts, showing her strategic approach to business moves.
• The viral success of Togethxr's 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' t-shirt underscores the demand for women's sports merchandise and the potential for growth in this market.
• Bird identifies a 'cool factor' shift in women's sports, driven by athletes like Caitlin Clark, which has increased viewership and cultural relevance.
• Social media has played a crucial role in amplifying women's sports, allowing athletes to share their stories and build personal brands.
• Bird believes in the significant growth potential of women's sports, with the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics as a potential catalyst for further expansion.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Sue Bird's approach to transitioning from sports to business?

Sue Bird's transition from sports to business involves leveraging her skills as a point guard, focusing on strategic decision-making and trusting her instincts. She applies her sports experience to business, emphasizing preparation and timing, and has ventured into media and entrepreneurship, co-founding companies like Togethxr.

Q: How did Sue Bird become involved with Togethxr?

Sue Bird co-founded Togethxr with athletes Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. The company was created to fill a gap in media coverage for women's sports, inspired by platforms like LeBron James' Uninterrupted. Bird's involvement is driven by her passion for elevating women's sports stories.

Q: What role does intuition play in Sue Bird's investment decisions?

Intuition plays a significant role in Sue Bird's investment decisions. She often invests in ventures where she trusts the people involved, rather than focusing solely on the business model. Bird believes in the importance of aligning values and feels confident in her ability to read people, which guides her investment choices.

Q: What impact has social media had on women's sports, according to Sue Bird?

Sue Bird credits social media with significantly impacting women's sports by providing athletes a platform to share their stories and connect with fans. This visibility has helped grow the popularity of women's sports, allowing athletes to build personal brands and engage with a wider audience, contributing to increased viewership and cultural relevance.

Q: How does Sue Bird view the future growth of women's sports?

Sue Bird is optimistic about the future growth of women's sports, citing increased investment and cultural shifts as key factors. She believes the LA 2028 Olympics will be a major milestone, further boosting the visibility and popularity of women's sports. Bird sees the potential for significant growth in media coverage and fan engagement.

Q: What was the inspiration behind Togethxr's viral t-shirt?

The inspiration behind Togethxr's viral 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' t-shirt came from a desire to challenge the narrative that women's sports lack viewership. The idea emerged during a brainstorming session, aiming to make a bold statement that resonates with fans and highlights the growing interest in women's sports.

Q: What are some challenges Sue Bird faced transitioning to the WNBA?

Transitioning to the WNBA, Sue Bird faced challenges such as culture shock from moving from sold-out college games to less attended professional games. She also had to adjust to differences in media coverage and facilities. Despite these challenges, Bird quickly adapted and began playing overseas, where she found financial success.

Q: What lessons did Sue Bird learn from her college coach, Geno Auriemma?

Sue Bird learned valuable lessons from her college coach, Geno Auriemma, including the importance of preparation and understanding the timing of actions. Auriemma emphasized being prepared for any situation and knowing when to execute specific skills, lessons that Bird has applied to both her basketball career and business ventures.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sue Bird discusses her career transition from a celebrated basketball player to a successful entrepreneur and media figure. She highlights her involvement in Togethxr, a media company focusing on women's sports, and her strategic investments in sports teams.

• Bird emphasizes the importance of intuition in her business decisions and how her basketball experience as a point guard influences her approach to deals and partnerships. She also shares insights into her investment in the Seattle Storm ownership group.

• The conversation touches on the growing popularity of women's sports, driven by cultural shifts and social media. Bird discusses the impact of viral moments, like the success of Togethxr's t-shirt, and her optimistic outlook for the future of women's sports.