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Michael Voepel
Multiple Authors
Former sports stars Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announced on social media Friday that they have ended their relationship after ten years together.
“There’s truly no easy way to share this,” they stated in an Instagram post. “After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways as a couple.”
“This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s one we have reached jointly, filled with love, respect, and care for one another.”
Bird, 45, secured four WNBA championships during her 19-season career, all with the Seattle Storm. She also earned five Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team and was the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft after winning two NCAA titles with UConn.
Rapinoe, 40, played for the U.S. women’s soccer team, winning FIFA Women’s World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, as well as the Olympic gold medal in 2012.
Bird concluded her WNBA career after the 2022 season, while Rapinoe retired from the NWSL at the end of the 2023 season.
“We’ve shared a full life over the past decade, through significant and quieter moments, which we will always cherish,” Bird and Rapinoe wrote.
“We are incredibly grateful for the supportive community that has embraced us just as we are.”
Bird, who was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame last year, is currently the managing director of the U.S. women’s national basketball team.
Both Bird and Rapinoe also collaborated on various business ventures, including their podcast, “A Touch More.”
“Building a network around it has brought us immense joy,” they expressed regarding the podcast. “The conversations, laughter, and connections mean more than we can express. While this chapter of the podcast has come to a close, what we’ve built together with you all is enduring.”