WNBA legend Sue Bird has officially earned a title that no one else in the league can claim.
Last Wednesday, the Connecticut legislature passed a bill stating that the UConn legend will now serve as a co-state bird every March, sharing the designation with the American robin — and former Huskies star Jordan Hawkins.
The unique legislative move serves as a permanent tribute to UConn's NCAA basketball dominance. Governor Ned Lamont is expected to sign the bill into law this week, formally designating "Suzanne Brigit Bird, also known as Sue Bird" as a state symbol during the height of the Women's March Madness.
"What an honor," the four-time WNBA All-Star's Bird’s Eye View podcast posted to Instagram following the news.
The gesture celebrates a career that defined a generation of Huskies fans. During her time in Storrs, Bird led UConn to two national championships and an iconic undefeated season in 2002.
Since retiring from the WNBA in 2022 as the league’s all-time assists leader, Bird’s impact on the state has only grown. This latest honor follows the retirement of her No. 10 UConn jersey at Gampel Pavilion last December.
State House Speaker Matt Ritter noted that the bill reflects the state's deep-rooted "love affair" with its basketball programs. By spotlighting both Bird and Hawkins — a standout on the 2023 men’s championship team — the state ensures its hoops icons remain synonymous with March Madness for years to come.
The sale saga of the Connecticut Sun added a new chapter this week, as the state of Connecticut submitted a bid proposal on Thursday that would see the WNBA team remain in-state.
Owned by the Mohegan Tribe since 2003, the state is just the latest entrant into an ongoing bidding war for the franchise, with Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, ex-Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, and the WNBA itself all making offers ranging from $250 to $325 million in recent weeks.
Unlike previous relocation bids, the state's proposed sale plan sees the Connecticut Sun splitting home games between their current Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville and Hartford's larger PeoplesBank Arena, while also promising a new practice facility in the state capital.
Despite winding down 2025 in 12th place, the Sun have amassed a loyal local following, selling out their 10,000-capacity arena four times this year in a state buoyed by NCAA basketball powerhouse and current national champion UConn located less than an hour away.
"The best place for the Connecticut Sun is Connecticut because we have this very fierce fan base for women's basketball," Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz told ESPN. "We love the [UConn] Huskies. We love watching the Sun… and we've seen that the Connecticut Sun players have been great community leaders and role models."