Sue Bird Alludes to Old Bill Simmons ‘Cocktail Dress’ Comment to Note WNBA’s Growth

Sports media personality Bill Simmons now appreciates the WNBA.

He highlighted Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark as an example of what the NBA lacks on a December 17 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast”.

Simmons noted, “What [the NBA is] missing ironically, is what women’s college basketball, what the WNBA had, where Caitlin became somebody that people just wanted to watch.”

He added, “And that’s why I think you could really make the case she’s more valuable than anyone the NBA has because she’s the only must-watch basketball player right now other than the old guys in the NBA.”

Sue Bird, a women’s basketball legend, appreciated Simmons’ recent WNBA praise during her December 20 appearance on “The Young Man and The Three” podcast.

Bird said, “When I saw Bill Simmons… on his own show, talking about how the WNBA should have gotten a better deal on their viewership, that actually meant something for me.”

Bird referenced a 2005 comment from Simmons when he made unfavorable remarks about her and the WNBA.

She alluded to Simmons’ comment that said, “Then again, maybe these realities don’t matter as much as one would think, because Sue Bird is downright adorable… and I wouldn’t watch 10 minutes of a WNBA game because of her.”

Simmons’ past comment stated, “If Sue was walking around at the ESPYs in a cocktail dress, I’m watching. If she’s running a pick-and-roll with Lauren Jackson, I’m flicking channels.”

Despite the past, Bird feels justified in her feelings about Simmons’ comments on her and the WNBA.

However, she acknowledges Simmons’ change of heart, stating, “Here was a guy who, 15 years ago, had one opinion, but now is talking about it in a totally different light.”

Bird and Simmons seem willing to move past their previous opinions.