Sue Bird's Transition from Basketball Star to Business Mogul

Sue Bird is successfully transitioning from a legendary athlete to a savvy entrepreneur, making impactful investments in women's sports and media.

### Sue Bird: From Basketball Legend to Business Mogul
* 🏀 Sue Bird, a **two-time National Champion** with UCONN and **four-time WNBA Champion** with the Seattle Storm, has transitioned from a celebrated athlete to a thriving **entrepreneur**.
* 💼 She co-founded Togethxr, a media company aimed at **empowering women in sports**, alongside notable athletes like Chloe Kim and Alex Morgan, and hosts a podcast with Megan Rapinoe.
* 📈 Bird highlights how her experience as a point guard influences her approach to business, emphasizing the **importance of preparation** and knowing "**when to**" make decisions.
* 🎓 Reflecting on her time at UCONN, Bird discusses the program's **rise to prominence** and the strong support from fans, which fostered a **unique community around women's basketball**.
* 🏆 She acknowledges the impact of her legendary coach, Geno Auriemma, who taught her that **preparation and understanding the timing of actions** are **crucial for success**.
* 🌍 Transitioning to the WNBA presented challenges, such as **adjusting to less media coverage and fanfare** compared to her college experience, but she **quickly adapted**.
* 💰 Bird shares her financial journey, revealing that early on, WNBA salaries were **lower than overseas earnings**, leading her to invest in various businesses based on her **trust in people**.
* 🚀 As she looks to the future, Bird recognizes the **growing interest in women's sports** and the potential for **significant growth**, driven by **changing societal attitudes** and **increased visibility**.

### The Rise of Women's Sports: Building a Community and Breaking Barriers
* 🏆 "Paige marked this moment of coolness for women's sports, especially as we see a **significant shift in visibility and investment** in the field."
* 📞 In 2018, Alex Morgan initiated the idea for Togethxr, inspired by platforms like LeBron's **Uninterrupted** and Derek Jeter's **Players Tribune**, but focused solely on **women's sports**.
* 💡 The launch of Togethxr coincided with pivotal moments in women's sports, such as the **US Women's National Team's equal pay fight** and **increased visibility during the WNBA's bubble season in 2020**.
* 📈 The community aspect of Togethxr has proven to be a **vital element**, as it shaped the company's **identity and mission** to highlight **stories of women athletes**.
* 👕 The merchandise gap in women's sports became evident with the success of the "**Everybody Watches Women's Sports**" T-shirt, highlighting a shift from viewing women's sports as a **charity** to a **legitimate business opportunity**.
* 🔥 The rise in viewership and cultural acceptance of women's sports is attributed to key moments, including **Sedona Prince's TikTok** and **Caitlin Clark's impressive performances**, which have **captured the attention of casual fans**.
* 📅 Looking ahead, the potential for women's basketball is immense, especially with the upcoming **LA 2028 Olympics**, which could serve as a **major catalyst for growth and visibility**.
* 🤝 Partnerships, such as the one with **Megan Rapinoe**, have fostered collaboration and shared strategies between women's sports leagues, enhancing **growth opportunities** across both basketball and soccer.

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

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Sue Bird's Transition from Athlete to Business Owner

Sue Bird, a retired professional basketball player, has transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding Togethxr and A Touch More, and investing in professional sports teams.

Her successful career at UCONN and the Seattle Storm, along with her Olympic gold medals, established her as a prominent athlete.

Bird emphasizes the importance of following her instincts in decision-making, both in her basketball career and her current business ventures.

The Impact of a Legendary College Experience

The speaker's college class at UConn was filled with top recruits, attracting significant media attention and sold-out games.

The close-knit relationship with the community and the team's dominance in basketball contributed to their fame and success.

The lessons learned from Coach Auriemma, particularly the importance of preparation and knowing when to act, have shaped the speaker's approach to business and life.

The player experienced a culture shock moving from college basketball to the WNBA, with a significant difference in media coverage and team treatment.

Despite the challenges, the player's early years in the league were supported by the NBA's ownership, providing some perks.

Playing overseas offered lucrative contracts, with earnings ranging from $300,000 to over a million, leading to a relaxed attitude towards CBA negotiations.

The player began investing in businesses, primarily betting on people, and experienced success with a restaurant venture, gaining their money back within two years.

The speaker reflects on their investment approach, preferring to go narrow and deep rather than wide and shallow.

They share the story of being approached by the ownership group of their former team for an investment opportunity right after retiring.

The decision to invest took a year and a half, as they wanted to assess the impact on their future business endeavors and avoid being held back.

The Impact of Paige Bueckers on Women's Basketball

Paige Bueckers, a high school senior in 2018-2019, gained significant social media attention with hundreds of thousands of followers, signaling a shift in interest towards women's basketball.

The speaker, reflecting on their own experience in the WNBA, noted a disconnect between off-court endorsement deals and the on-court business model, highlighting the systemic challenges faced by the league.

Bueckers' rise to prominence and the changing dynamics in women's basketball marked a shift in societal interest and cultural cachet, paving the way for greater recognition and support for the sport.

Togethxr was founded by four athletes, including Alex Morgan and Chloe Kim, to address the lack of a dedicated platform for women's sports.

The organization's launch coincided with significant moments in women's sports, such as the US Women's National Team's equal pay and the WNBA's bubble season.

Togethxr's mission has evolved to tell the stories of women in sports, build a community, and address the gap in merchandise for female athletes.

The Impact of the "Everybody Watches Women's Sports" T-Shirt

The "Everybody Watches Women's Sports" t-shirt highlights the merchandise gap in women's sports and signifies a shift from being seen as a charity to a legitimate business.

The shirt's origin came from a brainstorming session at Togethxr, using a playful font to challenge the notion that no one watches women's sports.

Its success, particularly after Dawn Staley wore it on national television, has led to unexpected financial growth and a renewed focus on investing in women's sports.

The Changing Narrative of Women's Basketball

The perception of women's basketball has shifted, with the WNBA finals now drawing intense interest and casual fans feeling the stakes.

Key moments, such as Paige Buecker's NCAA Final Four, Sedona Prince's TikTok, and Kobe Bryant's WNBA hoodie, have contributed to the sport's rising cool factor.

Caitlin Clark's impactful play, particularly her logo threes, has further elevated the game's status and respect, leading to significant growth and increased media coverage for women's basketball in the coming years.

The Impact of Social Media and Collaboration in Women's Sports

Social media has played a significant role in the success and visibility of women's sports, including basketball, by allowing athletes to tell their stories and showcase their journeys.

The WNBA's growth has been impressive, with its success in the first 25 years potentially surpassing that of the NBA.

The partnership between athletes like Asia Wilson and Megan Rapinoe has led to collaborative investments and shared experiences in navigating the challenges of growing women's leagues.

The NBA has been both a gift and a curse, providing valuable lessons for the WNBA, which is now further along due to this influence.

The WNBA operates under a hard salary cap, while the NWSL has more fluidity in its financial structure.

The Tisch family's investment in Gotham and similar efforts in other teams have shown the importance of financial support in attracting top players and winning championships.