The former couple released a short, special-edition of their podcast, 'A Touch More,' on Friday afternoon, sharing a brief three-minute clip to their socials about the 'personal news.' According to Daily Mail - Sport, a source described that both realized they weren't making new memories, and it was better to break up before they tainted their wonderful history forever. In a joint statement, they said they had shared a whole life over the last decade through big moments and quiet ones, which they would always carry with them.
During their playing careers, Rapinoe and Bird maintained a high-profile relationship while excelling in their respective sports. Megan Rapinoe is a two-time World Cup winner with the USA women's soccer team, bringing her career to a close in 2023. Sue Bird is a WNBA legend who didn't step away from the spotlight after retirement and was often seen supporting Rapinoe at soccer games until Rapinoe's retirement. According to Daily Mail - Sport, a source described that when they were involved in their careers, they would see each other, but absence made the heart grow fonder.
Though they both have been retired for a few years from their respective sports, they have been able to venture out and do other things along with their podcasts both together and separate.
Tensions emerged in retirement as the couple spent more time together. According to Daily Mail - Sport, a source described that a small disagreement would turn into a bigger thing for Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, and they started to look to friends like they resented each other. The specific disagreements that led to the breakup have not been disclosed, and how friends perceived the tension remains unclear.
Before the split, both athletes had been exploring post-retirement ventures. According to Daily Mail - Sport, a source described that they have been able to venture out and do other things along with their podcasts both together and separate. They relaunched their podcast, 'A Touch More,' in summer 2024, covering women's sports and the culture around it.
But one thing they couldn't figure out was seeing each other all the time, which is crazy to say.
In their announcement, Bird explained that they wanted to be transparent about their separation after sharing so much of their relationship with their followers over the years. According to Daily Mail - Sport, a source described that they very much mean what they said in their statement of sharing wonderful memories with each other. The exact plans for their podcast going forward are still developing.
Looking ahead, Rapinoe admitted that it's going to look a little bit different going forward. Bird explained that they plan to release solo content on their podcast. The financial or professional implications of their split have not been detailed, and what support systems they are relying on post-breakup remains unknown.
When they were involved in their careers, they would see each other of course, but it was also the element of absence makes the heart grow fonder.
They just couldn't figure out retirement together. And a small disagreement would turn into a bigger thing, and they started to look to friends like they resented each other. And before it got out of hand, as they realized it was bleeding out to their friends, they made the mutual decision to end it.
With that said, they very much mean what they said in their statement of sharing wonderful memories with each other.
But they both realized that they weren't making new memories, and it was better for them to break up before they tainted their wonderful history forever.
It's going to look a little bit different going forward.