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Sue Bird Explains Why She and Megan Rapinoe Split

Bird says the breakup grew out of mutual personal change and was eased by couples therapy as each moves into separate public roles.

Former Connecticut Husky Sue Bird and partner Megan Rapinoe listen during a jersey retirement ceremony before an NCAA women’s basketball game against the DePaul Blue Demons at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on Dec. 7, 2025, in Storrs, Connecticut.
An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird arrives to the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on September 6, 2025 at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Overview

  • The couple announced their separation in April after nearly 10 years together and confirmed they were ending their joint podcast.
  • On June 9, Bird told Women’s Health the decision unfolded over months and came from both partners growing and changing in ways that made the relationship no longer work.
  • Bird said therapy helped their communication and made the transition “easier and calmer,” and she emphasized that they remain on great terms with no bad blood.
  • She described stepping into a “newish, grown-ish, healed-ish” chapter and is continuing her public work as a Seattle Storm co-owner and an NBC/Peacock WNBA analyst.
  • The split removes one of sport’s most visible LGBTQ power couples from shared projects and could shift how both athletes navigate public life while keeping personal matters private.