Being one of only seven women to achieve the ultimate sports quadruple: an Olympic Gold Medal, a World Championship Gold Medal, an NCAA Championship, and a WNBA Championship, Sue Bird is a bona fide icon. But she is not done winning. After retirement, she is making waves in the business world. While her basketball skills defined her legendary career, Bird recently opened up about what made her successful in her post-playing ventures.

Bird shared her investment philosophy, saying, “I was betting on people. Like, I have a good friend of mine who I grew up with. I always joke if he had called me and said, ‘I’m opening up a zoo,’ I would’ve invested.” Turns out, her friend didn’t start a zoo but opted for restaurants, and the 4x WNBA Champion jumped in with both feet.

Her first major investment led to five successful restaurants in the Boston area, and she recouped her initial money within just a year or two. And the industry is only on the up and up, now worth $32.6 Billion. Restaurant Hospitality reported, “The Massachusetts Restaurant Association has also provided a pulse check on its eating and drinking industry, which is expected to contribute $32.6 billion to the state’s economy this year.”

And do you know? As Bird said on Bloomberg Originals’ The Deal, “I really, I feel like I was investing in the people, not the businesses themselves.” Seems like this people-first approach has paid off in more ways than one because her business ventures don’t stop at restaurants.

She’s got her hands on everything from sports media to fitness tech. First, it’s ‘A Touch More,’ the production company she co-founded with her fiance, Megan Rapinoe. It started as a pandemic-born Instagram Live series and has now transformed into a full-fledged podcast in partnership with Vox Media.

Then there’s her role as a co-founder of TOGETHXR, a women’s sports media brand created alongside fellow Olympic icons Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. And let’s not forget her investments in tech-driven companies like Tonal (a fitness brand) and Diveplane (an AI startup). 

Clearly, Sue Bird is as versatile off the court as she was on it. However, her crowning moment has to be becoming a co-owner of the Seattle Storm, the very franchise where she spent her memorable 20-year playing career.

Sue Bird co-owns Seattle Storm

After winning four championships with the Storm (tied for the most in WNBA history) and leaving her heart on the court as a player, the 13X WNBA All-Star transitioned to ownership back in April. She joined the Force 10 Hoops ownership group, alongside Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder, and Dawn Trudeau. 

For the 44-year-old, it’s not just about staying connected to the game; it’s about shaping its future. “As a player, I poured my heart into every game for the Seattle Storm, and now, as part of the ownership group, I am thrilled to continue contributing to the growth of the game,” she said in a statement. “

She strongly believes investing in women’s sports isn’t just about passion; it’s ‘smart business.’ Considering the WNBA’s growth, especially this season, she does have a point. Let us tell you that the 5x Olympic gold medallist is following in the footsteps of other ballers like Lisa Leslie and Renee Montgomery, who also became WNBA team owners. 

But for Bird, it’s more personal. Her history with the Storm is unmatched. All in all, her playing career might be over, but her impact is far from it. Her post-retirement life could actually be the masterclass in staying relevant and impactful. And as she did on the court, she’s doing it all wholeheartedly.