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On this episode of Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird, we welcome Portland Fire head coach Alex Sarama to recap round one of the WNBA playoffs. Alex and Sue discuss the three-game series format and their takeaways from all four matchups: (1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty, (3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever, (4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics, and (2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings. Alex then dives into what it’s been like leading his first WNBA team, from learning an entirely new league to getting the Fire to embrace his constraints-led approach to coaching to planning for the offseason and beyond. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The WNBA's 2026 Most Improved Player and Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard joins Bird’s Eye View this week. But first, Sue shares her selects for this year’s highly contested WNBA awards, including who should be named MVP among A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, and, yes, rookie Olivia Miles. Jessica and Sue dive into all of Jessica’s WNBA highs and lows, from her league suspension in 2024 to having the best season of her career with the Wings. Jessica talks about what she learned playing under Cheryl Reeve, why Paige Bueckers is one of the best teammates she’s ever had, and what the Wings need to do to find success in the playoffs. Jessica and Sue also discuss the long-term impact of WNBA players playing overseas less while more international players enter the league. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tina Charles is back on Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird for round two. After covering the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on TNT Sports, the WNBA MVP, 8x All-Star, 3x Olympic gold medalist, and 3x FIBA World Cup champion has another accolade to add to the list: America’s new favorite broadcaster. On this episode of the pod, Tina and Sue discuss how the globalization of the WNBA impacted this year’s tournament, highlight the players and game-changing plays that led to Team USA bringing home the gold, and assess how the FIBA-break will impact the rest of the WNBA season.    But first in “Sue’s View,” Sue reacts to Cathy Engelbert announcing her retirement and shares lessons learned during her first World Cup as managing director of Team USA. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Bird’s Eye View, Sue Bird is joined by her former Seattle Storm teammate and Australian Opals icon Lauren Jackson. Whenever Sue and LJ get together it’s a time, and this episode is no different. Sue and Lauren get into the pros and cons of going pro at 16, the Opals legendary FIBA World Cup run in 2006, and how LJ’s role on a team differs between international tournaments and the WNBA. Lauren also reflects on her impact on the women’s game and shares her favorite young post players to watch today. In “Sue’s View”, Sue answers your questions about “The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” documentary and shares a never-before-told story about how intense practices got with Coach Geno Auriemma. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

**NOTE: We recorded before it was announced that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the World Cup due to health reasons.** This week on Bird’s Eye View, Sue Bird welcomes 2x NBA champion and FIBA icon Pau Gasol to kick off the start of the 2026 Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany. Pau played in the NBA for 18 years, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, and is one of the most successful basketball players in Spain’s history. In 2006, he helped lead Spain to its first FIBA World Cup title and won MVP along the way. Since his retirement, Pau has been deeply committed to growing the women's global game. Pau talks about his favorite FIBA World Cup memories, Spain’s rising stars Awa Fam and Iyana Martin, and what it’s like to be battle-tested by the USA’s national team. Sue and Pau also dive into what makes a World Cup one of the most challenging tournaments to play in and what it means to represent their countries at such a high level of international competition. In “Sue’s View,” Sue explains how she put together this year’s Team USA roster and which countries pose the biggest threat to Team USA bringing home its fifth consecutive gold medal. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire joins Sue Bird this week on the Bird’s Eye View podcast. Bridget made history as the first player to officially sign with the Fire, one of the WNBA’s two new expansion teams. They discuss adapting to Alex Sarama’s constraints-led approach to coaching, the Fire’s mindset for finishing out the season, and matching up against each other during the 2020 semifinals. Bridget also opens up about how getting waived by the Connecticut Sun then picked up by the Minnesota Lynx her rookie year was the best thing for her career. But first during “Sue’s View,” Sue reflects on Nneka Ogwumike’s legacy both on and off the court and assesses where the Atlanta Dream may ultimately end up in the playoff seeding. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ramona Shelburne, ESPN’s NBA Insider and Senior Writer, joins Sue Bird for a new episode of the Bird's Eye View podcast. Ramona is one of the most respected and trusted voices in sports journalism because of her commitment to reporting with integrity and compassion. She’s profiled athletes across all sports but specifically Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Caitlin Clark from the world of basketball. This week on the pod, Sue and Ramona discuss the current state of sports media, how team ownership impacts on-court results, and her favorite storylines from this season of the WNBA. Ramona also explains what’s going on behind the scenes of the historic $12.5 billion-sale of the Los Angeles Lakers and her approach to covering the WNBA in today’s climate. Plus, Sue takes a moment during “Sue’s View” to reflect on the Phoenix Mercury retiring Diana Taurasi’s jersey and to honor the legacy of her dear friend. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Bird’s Eye View, Sue Bird talks to Seattle Storm rising star Dominique Malonga about having Wemby as a peer, going pro at fifteen, and becoming a versatile post player. Dominique opens up about what it was like to transition from playing professional basketball in France to playing in the WNBA, how she plans to continue diversifying her post game (dunking is involved), and the lessons from this season that she, Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson will carry with them into next season. Plus in Sue’s View, Sue speculates who may still have a chance to sneak into the top eight in a new segment called “The Superpower vs. Achilles Heel.”  Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Bird’s Eye View, Sue Bird is joined by Minnesota Lynx All-Star Kayla McBride to discuss her offensive surge, defensive growth, and how the Lynx is integrating Napheesa Collier back into the rotation. Kayla reflects on practicing against Skylar Diggins and Jewell Lloyd as Notre Dame undergrads, how she developed her lightning-quick shooting release, and what it’s like playing alongside Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard under Cheryl Reeve’s demanding leadership. And in Sue’s View, Sue recaps the trade deadline, diving into the Mercury’s acquisition of Kelsey Plum, and all the draft implications, playoff pushes, and roster-building strategy. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/ Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/ Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bird’s Eye View is on the ground in Chicago for a special live show recorded during WNBA All-Star weekend! Sue sits down with five-time All-Star and Chicago Sky legend Courtney Vandersloot for her first podcast interview ever. They discuss Sloot’s return to the court post-ACL tear, her two championship runs, whether she'll break Sue’s all-time assists record, and the significance of having All-Star in Chicago. Plus, Sue and Sloot are joined by a surprise guest. Before that all goes down, Sue answers some audience questions, where the tradition of answering a brutal Start/Bench/Cut continues. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Bird’s Eye View welcomes Paige Bueckers to the pod. Paige opens up about what it’s been like living with the expectations, pressures, and injuries that have followed her since high school. She and Sue dissect how the contributions of Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Azzi Fudd and Paige herself have made the Dallas Wings a winning team. Plus, Paige dishes on what to expect from the new UConn documentary coming out later this summer. In Sue’s View, Sue assesses the league standings headed into All-Star Weekend, predicts who will win the Three-Point Contest, and breaks down how A’ja Wilson’s three-point shooting has leveled up. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jordin Canada has only gotten better with age. She’s second in the league in steals (behind her Dream teammate Rhyne Howard), and she’s averaging 11.3 points per game. That’s double her average from when she first entered the league nearly ten years ago. Jordin stopped by Bird’s Eye View to talk about how her playmaking has evolved since her days as a rookie on the 2018 Seattle Storm squad, the road to playing for the Dream, and why she feels like 2026 is her best season yet.Sue kicks off the episode to give flowers to Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, and Kayla McBride for setting new personal and league records. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/   Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird   Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/  Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Toronto Tempo’s Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey join Sue on this week’s episode of Bird’s Eye View. Brittney and Marina both signed two-year max contracts with the Tempo, making them the first known million-dollar backcourt since the new CBA. They’ve become one of the most dominant scoring duos this season and a major reason why the Tempo are near the top of the league in team scoring. Brittney and Marina talk about how growing up playing New Jersey basketball informed their game, channeling their combined 18 years of experience into productively leading a first-year team, and what it means to represent an entire country every time they step on the court. But first on Sue’s View, Sue reacts to the starters selected for this year’s All-Star game and finally breaks her silence on the viral sideline moment between her and Las Vegas Aces’ player Jackie Young during the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup final.   Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/  Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird  Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/ Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Sue welcomes ESPN analyst and Knicks game announcer Monica McNutt to talk about all the latest W trends and storylines, from Olivia Miles’ impressive poise in Cheryl Reeve’s system, why young talent seems to be blowing up this year, and which teams are legit contenders in the East. Sue and Monica also dive into the Knicks’ title run, what the championship means to her and the people of New York, and how the fans have embraced her viral reaction videos.In Sue’s View, Sue has some thoughts about the WNBA season expanding to 50 games next year, the surge in league scoring, and celebrates the new Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class featuring Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Cheryl Reeve, and Doris Burke. Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/  Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird  Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/ Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Sue chats with Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (who happened to be calling in using her backcourt partner Veronica Burton’s iPad!). Entering her second WNBA season, Kaitlyn reflects on her unique path to the pros—from anchoring a dominant program at Princeton to playing a more strategic role on UConn’s championship team alongside Paige and Azzi, and navigating the emotional roller coaster of her rookie WNBA season.Kaitlyn shares what it means to be the first Taiwanese-American player in the WNBA, playing under the league's first Japanese-American head coach, Natalie Nakase, while embracing the passionate Bay Area fan base. She also breaks down how she handles the fast-changing business of the league, finding her voice as a leader, and maintaining an aggressive edge on the court against the “talls.” Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR. Follow Sue on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/  Follow Sue on X: https://x.com/s10bird  Follow Bird’s Eye View on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdseyeviewpod/ Follow Bird’s Eye View on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdseyeviewpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices