Sue Bird Reflects on Life After Breakup with Megan Rapinoe
WNBA icon Sue Bird recently opened up about her transition into a “new era” following the end of her decade-long relationship with former USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
“It’s like anything: you grow and change, and discussions about the relationship start happening. Eventually, you realize it might not be working as it once did,” Bird shared in an interview that came out on Tuesday.
Bird and Rapinoe, who confirmed their relationship in July 2017 and got engaged three years later, announced their separation via a joint Instagram post this past April.
Bird noted that the breakup felt particularly poignant when her nieces, ages 13 and 11, expressed uncertainty about life without Rapinoe, highlighting how close they had become.
She mentioned that their friends and family were already aware of the situation, implying that the decision had been in the works for several months.
The four-time WNBA champion emphasized that the breakup wasn’t abrupt; they had shared a “great relationship” without any “bad blood” lingering between them.
Bird attributed her ability to navigate these changes to insights gained from couples therapy, saying it helped her communicate better as they neared the end of their relationship.
Reflecting on their history, Bird described how they first met during the 2016 Rio Olympics while playing for teams based in Seattle. They made their relationship public the following year.
They also announced the conclusion of their podcast, “A Touch More,” in the same breakup post. “Did it feel a bit awkward when we recorded last month? Sure,” Bird admitted. “But the chemistry was still there, deeply rooted in love for each other.”
Looking to the future, Bird expressed enthusiasm about this new chapter in her life. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Megan,” she acknowledged. “Now that it’s over, I’m ready to step back into the world as a new, grown-up version of myself. It’s both exciting and a bit scary.”
Currently, the Seattle Storm co-owner is based on the East Coast, where she works as a studio analyst for NBC and Peacock for the upcoming 2026 WNBA season.
