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L-R: Sarah Tapscott, Meryl Wilsner

Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe have called it quits after a decade together, announcing their separation in a joint Instagram post on Friday.

“There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news,” their statement read. “After a lot of thought, we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision, but its 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.”

They also shared that their podcast, “A Touch More” will be ending.

“We are so grateful to this incredible community that has held us up, welcomed us in, and supported us exactly how we are,” they continued. “So many of you have reminded us, again and again, why loving out loud matters.”


  Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird attend the 2025 New York #LWTSUMMIT at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on October 7, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images for TechFutures Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird attend the 2025 New York #LWTSUMMIT at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on October 7, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images for TechFutures

“Getting to create A Touch More: The Podcast and build a network around it has been a tremendous joy. The conversations, the laughter, the connection – it means more than we can put into words. While this chapter of doing the podcast together is ending, what we’ve built with you isn’t.

“Thank you for being with us though all of it… it means the world to us. With so much love, Megan and Sue.”


  Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird in April 2025. Instagram/Sue Bird Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird in April 2025. Instagram/Sue Bird

The pair, who met at the 2016 Rio Olympics — while Rapinoe played for the Seattle Reign of the NWSL and Bird played for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm — went public with their relationship in July 2017.

Bird and Rapinoe announced their engagement in October 2020.

They made history as the first openly gay couple to cover ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue, which was released in June 2018.


  Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe at Sport Beach at Cannes Lions in June 2024. Instagram/Megan Rapinoe Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe at Sport Beach at Cannes Lions in June 2024. Instagram/Megan Rapinoe

Rapinoe previously shared that she has “Mammers,” her mother’s nickname, tattooed on her left wrist in Bird’s handwriting.

Bird and Rapinoe originally launched their podcast on Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic.


  Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe during a live show for their “A Touch More” podcast. Instagram/Megan Rapinoe Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe during a live show for their “A Touch More” podcast. Instagram/Megan Rapinoe

They are executive producers on “Playing the Field,” a forthcoming series based on the USA Today sports romance novel “Cleat Cute” by Meryl Wilsner, as reported by Deadline on Monday.

“‘Playing the Field” is described as “an ensemble comedy following the sexy, messy, and exciting lives of four female players on Crescent City, a professional New Orleans women’s soccer team, anchored by the will-they-won’t-they romance of newly drafted phenom Phoebe Matthews and team captain Grace Henderson.”

Bird will join NBC and Peacock as a studio analyst for the 2026 WNBA season.


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