Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller Excited for WNBA's Return to NBC Networks

Basketball Hall of Famers Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller are serving in new roles as NBC Sports analysts this WNBA season, and they shared their early thoughts on the 2026 campaign with the media Thursday.

Bird, a University of Connecticut great, is a 13-time WNBA All-Star and four-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm who retired from the league in 2022. Miller, a University of Southern California legend and former coach at the college and WNBA levels, spent 17 years with TBS covering the NBA. She was also the first female analyst to call a nationally televised NBA game.

When asked for a bold prediction about the season, Bird pointed to the 2-0 Atlanta Dream.

"I think in watching the games, Atlanta really stands out. They don't even have Bri Jones yet, so I wouldn't say it's a bold prediction, but I got my eye on them for sure," Bird said.

The Dream will host the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces for the WNBA's debut on Peacock on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET (also televised on NBC). Bird said the matchup will be an early test and measuring stick for both teams.

"The only thing that really stands out is that Vegas is a team that revolves around A'ja [Wilson] but likes to play small. They've been playing Chelsea [Gray] at the four a lot, and then you've got Atlanta, and one of their big strengths is their size," Bird said. "And I don't just mean size in the lane, I mean size across the board. Outside of their point guards, it's a very tall team. So that's just one thing that jumps out."

In the broadcasting realm, Bird has performed her fair share of studio work, along with hosting her own podcast, "Bird's Eye View," in which she interviews WNBA figures about their games and the league as a whole.

Miller explained that her return to broadcasting required some adjustment during the preseason, while she connected with teams and coaches around the league.

"There's some gaps. The terminology is very different, but it's the same thing on the court," Miller said. " … You always want to put your best foot forward, and you want to be good at what you do. … It's going to be baby steps. But I'm excited about this opportunity, and again, I'm surrounded with great people and with great producers and directors. So, all I've got to do is stay in my lane, and I'll be fine."

NBC Sports was the WNBA's first national broadcast partner at its launch in 1997 but ended its coverage of the league in 2002. The WNBA returns to NBC platforms this weekend with Bird and Miller. After Aces-Dream, the Storm will visit Indiana Fever at 6 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.

Related: 5 Bold Predictions for the Atlanta Dream's 2026 Season

Related: 5 Bold Predictions for the Las Vegas Aces' 2026 Season

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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 4:53 PM.