Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe have broken up after nearly a decade together, the two announced Friday in a statement. The announcement was posted to the social media page of their joint podcast, “A Touch More.”
“There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news. After a lot of thought, we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple,” the statement read. “This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s one we’ve made together, with so much love, respect and care for each other. We’ve shared a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us.”
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The pair also posted a video addressing what they called “a personal update,” sharing that they will no longer be recording the podcast on a weekly basis. In the video, Rapinoe said that they made the decision “together”
“It’s been so meaningful to us, especially post-retirement, to be able to have this space to share, not just together but with you as well,” Rapinoe said. “We’re still gonna be there for all of you, and for each other, it’s just gonna look and feel a little bit different.”
Bird, a Hall of Fame WNBA point guard, and Rapinoe, a legendary NWSL and U.S. women’s national team forward, began dating in 2016 and went public with their relationship in 2017. They announced their engagement in October 2020 but were never officially married.
The two met in Seattle, where Bird spent 20 years playing for the Seattle Storm and Rapinoe spent 11 years playing for the Seattle Reign. The couple was known for appearing together at women’s sporting events together, especially in Seattle.
Bird and Rapinoe are considered two of the greatest players of all time in their respective sports. Bird holds four WNBA championships with the Storm and five Olympic gold medals with Team USA; Rapinoe is a three-time NWSL Shield winner with the Reign and has won two World Cups, one Olympic gold and one Olympic bronze with the USWNT.
The pair retired within a year of each other: Bird retired from the Storm in 2022, and Rapinoe played her final games in the fall of 2023. Both were at the other’s side during their respective retirement tours.
Rapinoe’s No. 15 was retired by the Reign in 2024; Bird’s No. 10 was retired by the Storm in 2023, and by UConn, her alma mater, in December. Bird was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last fall as part of the Class of 2025.
