Megan Rapinoe en Sue Bird maken einde relatie bekend na bijna tien jaar
Seattle, zaterdag, 18 april 2026.
Twee van de meest invloedrijke sportvrouwen van deze tijd, Megan Rapinoe en Sue Bird, hebben hun scheiding aangekondigd na een relatie van bijna tien jaar. Ze leerden elkaar kennen tijdens de Olympische Spelen in Rio 2016 en werden al snel een openlijk stel. Samen werden ze iconen binnen de strijd voor gendergelijkheid en LGBTQ+-rechten. In een emotionele verklaring benadrukken ze hoeveel liefde en respect er nog steeds is. Hun populaire podcast ‘A Touch More’ komt ook ten einde, maar fanatieke luisteraars krijgen zes afsluitende episodes. Het einde van hun relatie markeert een ophouden van een uniek publiek-private partnerschap dat sport, activisme en cultuur verbond.
a landmark personal announcement
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, two prominent figures in American sports, announced their separation on April 18, 2026, after nearly ten years together. The couple confirmed the news through a joint statement released on social media platforms. Both emphasized mutual respect and care despite the personal transition. Their relationship began during the 2016 Rio Olympics and evolved into a widely recognized union within elite athletics. They remained private yet visible advocates for social causes throughout their time together [1].
from teammates to global symbols
Though representing different sports—Rapinoe in soccer with the USWNT and Bird in basketball with the WNBA—the pair became synonymous with progress in women’s sports. Rapinoe earned acclaim as a two-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist [2]. Bird holds four WNBA championships and five Olympic gold medals [2]. Together, they leveraged their visibility to advance conversations on gender equity and LGBTQ+ rights. Their influence extended beyond athletic performance into cultural advocacy [2].
the evolution of a public partnership
The couple went public with their relationship in 2017, shortly after meeting at the Rio Games. They announced their engagement in 2020 but did not marry. During the pandemic, they launched the podcast ‘A Touch More,’ which explored intersections of sports, politics, and inclusion [2]. The show relaunched in 2024 with expanded content focusing on women’s sports. Their collaborative media presence strengthened their roles as thought leaders off the field and court [2].
closing one chapter, opening others
Alongside their personal announcement, Rapinoe and Bird revealed the conclusion of their joint podcast. Six farewell episodes will be released to honor listeners. Rapinoe plans to launch her own podcast project in summer 2026 [1]. Bird continues hosting her existing show, ‘Bird’s Eye View.’ Neither indicated disputes or conflicts in their statement, stressing instead enduring affection and appreciation for their shared journey [1][2].