Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, two legendary athletes and longtime partners, announced their separation after nearly a decade together. The couple shared the news in a joint statement on social media, emphasizing mutual respect and love as they move forward separately.
Core Facts
The pair, who began dating in 2016 and publicly announced their relationship in 2017, got engaged in 2020 but never married. Their decision to part ways was described as a collaborative one, made with care and consideration for each other. They also announced the end of their podcast, A Touch More, which they launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast, which focused on women’s sports and social issues, will conclude with six farewell episodes hosted separately by Rapinoe and Bird.
Background and Context
Rapinoe, 40, is a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Bird, 45, is a 13-time WNBA All-Star, four-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm, and five-time Olympic gold medalist. Both athletes are known for their advocacy on social issues, including equal pay, transgender rights, and racial justice.
The couple met at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Bird publicly came out as gay in 2017. They posed together for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue in 2018 and announced their engagement on Instagram in October 2020. Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Future Plans
Bird will continue her own podcast, Bird’s Eye View, while Rapinoe plans to launch her own podcast later this summer. Their production company, A Touch More, will continue to operate independently of the podcast.
The couple expressed gratitude to their community for supporting them throughout their relationship and career. They emphasized that while their romantic partnership is ending, the bond they share will endure.