Two of the biggest voices in women’s sports are WNBA icon Sue Bird and women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe. Over the years, the star athletes have used their platforms to voice their opinions on a wide array of topics while also supporting women’s sports.
For most of the last decade, the couple has been at the forefront of the women’s sports movement and they got engaged in October 2020. Today, the power couple announced that they have separated, and it has shocked the WNBA community.
Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe Announce Separation
Bird and Rapinoe announced their separation on their podcast “A Touch More” and on Instagram. Bird and Rapinoe revealed that they will continue to host separate podcasts while their joint ventures come to an end.
With so much love 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Kd9iomFykI
— A Touch More (@atouchmore) April 17, 2026
The reaction to the news was a mix of shock and sadness, with sports media personality Katie Nolan simply writing “NO” on X. Nolan is a friend and collaborator of Bird and Rapinoe, as she has appeared on their podcast and vice versa.
NO
— Katie Nolan (@katienolan) April 17, 2026
Sports media personality Sarah McCrory of The Whistle and Sports Illustrated reacted to the news as well.
“OMG???” she posted.
OMG???? https://t.co/62cjWcC4Nz
— Sarah McCrory (@sarahhmccrory) April 17, 2026
One writer reacted to the news with denial, saying, “Just going to reject this. You two need to fix whatever it is,” before sending a second tweet with the song “Stay Together For the Kids” by blink-182.
Just going to reject this. You two need to fix whatever it is. https://t.co/t9ubaBinFd
— Zito (@_Zeets) April 17, 2026
Another writer chimed in by commenting, “Love is dead, folks.”
Love is dead folks https://t.co/MVKvm41jvO
— Rich Donahue (@DonahuePGH) April 17, 2026
Corey Clayton used this news to reference a controversial WNBA issue this week, saying, “Dallas Wings PR person: ‘I understand why you have questions, but we are going to respectfully decline commenting on these players’ personal and podcasting lives.'”
This comes after a Wings PR staffer awkwardly interrupted Azzi Fudd’s introductory press conference when she was asked about her relationship with teammate Paige Bueckers.
This is now the second high-profile relationship story in the WNBA world this week, so many were quick to tie the two situations together with jokes or comments.
.@DallasWings PR person: “I understand why you have questions, but we are going to respectfully decline commenting on these players’ personal and podcasting lives.” https://t.co/wOG53uBxQB
— Corey Clayton (@CoreyClayton) April 17, 2026
Bird and Rapinoe insist that they still have love and respect for each other, and all indications are that they seem to be splitting up amicably.
It remains to be seen what Bird and Rapinoe’s separate podcasts will look like as they rebrand following the separation, but it’s safe to say many throughout the WNBA world were sad about news of their breakup.
