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2018 WNBA Finals: Sue Bird would decline White House invite after title win

By Joseph Zucker

WASHINGTON D.C - SEPTEMBER 12: ESPN Reporter, Holly Rowe interviews Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm on court after winning Game Three of the 2018 WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics on September 12, 2018 at George Mason University in Washington D.C. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON D.C - SEPTEMBER 12: ESPN Reporter, Holly Rowe interviews Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm on court after winning Game Three of the 2018 WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics on September 12, 2018 at George Mason University in Washington D.C. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Bird doesn’t plan on commemorating WNBA title triumph in the nation’s capital

Fresh off winning her third WNBA championship, Seattle Storm star Sue Bird told KING 5 News’ Alex Rozier she won’t make the trip to Washington, D.C., to be honored by President Donald Trump.

Bird added she doesn’t think the offer from the White House will even be forthcoming.

“I’m sure [President Trump] is going to say we’re not invited anyway, so it all works out well,” Bird said, per KING 5’s Kipp Robertson.

Breanna Stewart was noncommittal as well, telling Robertson she “[doesn’t] know if we’d lean one way or another.”

In May, Minnesota Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve told reporters the Lynx still hadn’t received a formal invite from the president to after winning a 2017 WNBA title.

“It’s hard not to think that gender is playing a role here because of the consistency with which men’s teams are being invited and celebrated,” she said, per the Washington Post‘s Ava Wallace. “I think it reflects the priorities of this particular administration.”

She elaborated on her point further on Twitter:

The Lynx made two trips to Washington during the 2018 regular season, first on May 27 and then again June 7. Rather than going to the White House, Minnesota traveled to a local elementary school in Washington, D.C., to visit with the students and hand out gear:

In September 2017, Trump rescinded an invitation to the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry said he wasn’t keen on going to the White House. Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James famously called Trump a “bum” after the decision.

The Storm defeated the Washington Mystics 98-82 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night to claim the title. Stewart scored 30 points en route to winning Finals MVP, and Natasha Howard had 29 points and 14 rebounds in the victory.

To celebrate the franchise’s championship, the Storm will hold a parade at Seattle Center, with the event concluding at KeyArena. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. PT.

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