A former ESPN announcer is facing backlash online for his comment on Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s breakup.
Rapinoe, one of the best players in U.S. women’s soccer history, and Bird, one of the greatest WNBA guards ever, announced their breakup on Friday afternoon, April 17, after a decade of being together.
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“There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news. After a lot of thought, we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple,” they said in a joint statement released to their Instagram pages.
Rapinoe and Bird not only dated, but worked together. They co-hosted a successful female sports podcast.
“We have shared so much of our life, so much of our relationship with you. So that’s why we wanted to come on here and share this too,” Bird said. “These past 10 years have given us so much and launching this podcast and sharing this space has been one of our favorite things that we’ve done together.”
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Sep 24, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; (Editors Note: Caption Correction) United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) and her fiance Sue Bird during a ceremony to honor her national team career before the game against South Africa at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports© Jon Durr-Imagn Images.
In the wake of their breakup, Rapinoe and Bird are receiving a lot of support online. However, one former ESPN announcer is facing backlash for his comments.
A former ESPN college basketball announcer claimed that he knew Bird wasn’t going to be a lifetime lesbian.
Dan Dakich sparks controversy with breakup comment
Dan Dakich, a former coach and player at Indiana, turned broadcaster for ESPN and now Outkick, sparked backlash with his comment.
“Told you for years Sue Bird is not a lifetime lesbian. She got recruited (as so many poor college athletes do) into that life,” he wrote.
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Dakich’s tweet immediately went viral, sparking backlash.
“What the heck is this?” one responded.
“Outkick is barstool for your uncle who can’t see his kids,” one shared.
“Seriously!?!?!?” one shared.
“Oh, I didn’t know Dan was THAT kind of bad person too. Huh. Not shocked I guess,” another shared.
Dakich, meanwhile, stands by his comment.
“Folks trying to be mad at me for giving an observation based on life experiences can shut it!! Go stand in the corner!” he wrote.
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This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
