The Most Famous Sports Couples

Published

6 years ago

April 8, 2019

Sport is all about winning, and these sports stars made sure to etch their names in the history books. Even though these stars were already living the dream by becoming professional athletes, they also have the perfect lives outside of their respective competitions. Not only are some of the biggest sports stars in the world dating famous people, but many of them are also dating their fellow sportspeople.

Who better to understand the ups and downs of a professional sportsperson’s career than someone going through the same thing? These are some of the most famous couples hitting the red carpets and major sporting events all over the world.

David and Victoria Beckham

David Beckham rose to become one of the most famous soccer stars on the planet. However, before he met Victoria, she was actually the more famous of the pair. Victoria was a member of the world-famous pop group, the Spice Girls, and she met David when she went to the Manchester United player’s lounge in 1997. The couple began dating soon after that first meeting, and they have been together ever since. They have grown to become global superstars, with David being the face of soccer and Victoria heading up her own fashion label.

Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari

Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler had a great throwing arm, and he retired from the sport with several Chicago Bears records to his name. Cutler had his eye on TV personality Kristin Cavallari for some time, but she rejected his early advances. In fact, a whole year before they actually went on their first date, Cavallari turned Cutler down. Eventually, they decided to see if there was some chemistry between them, and there was. Despite some ups and downs, the couple married in 2013 and have grown their family with three children.

Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias

Anna Kournikova became a sensation in the tennis world when she burst onto the scene. The Russian-born tennis star didn’t manage to win a grand slam or become the world number one, but she still remained a huge name in the sport. She was romantically linked to pop star Enrique Iglesias, singer of ‘Hero,’ in 2001. Kournikova appeared in a music video for Iglesias, and it seemed as though the pair were dating, although the tennis star refused to comment. The couple has mostly kept their relationship out of the spotlight, but they do have three children together.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Football fans know all about Tom Brady and his accomplishments in the sport. The quarterback has won the Super Bowl as a player more times than anyone else in history and is a New England Patriots legend. His partner is the super famous model Gisele Bundchen, and together they are one of the most impressive couples in the world. They started dating back in 2006 and eventually tied the knot in 2009. Over ten years later, they are still going strong and remain two of the most successful people in their respective industries.

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez

As far as famous couples go, they don’t get much bigger in the United States than Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez. Rodriguez is the former 14-time MLB All-Star baseball player, and he met pop star Jennifer Lopez when she was having lunch in Los Angeles one time. Rodriguez spotted Lopez eating at a restaurant in Beverly Hills, and the baseball star went over to her to say hello. Their first meeting went well, and after a couple of hours, Rodriguez asked Lopez out on a date. The pair became a public couple in 2017 and were engaged in 2019.

Derek Jeter and Hannah Davis

Derek Jeter is an all-time hero for some New York Yankees fans after the shortstop helped his team win the World Series five times. The former MLB star had a hugely impressive career, and he still remains an important figure in the sport today. Jeter is now a part-owner and chief executive officer of the Miami Marlins MLB franchise. The baseball legend has been romantically linked to many famous women in the past, but since 2012, he has been dating Sports Illustrated model Hannah Davis. The couple married in 2016 and have two children together.

Rickie Fowler and Allison Stokke

Golf star Rickie Fowler started playing on the PGA Tour at a young age, but he proved that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Fowler turned pro in 2009, but he is still waiting to get his hands on his first major title in golf. His highest world ranking is 4th, but the star is still pretty young in golfing years and still has plenty of years on the course ahead of him. Fowler began dating pole vaulter Allison Stokke in 2017, and two years later, they were married.

Justin Verlander and Kate Upton

There were rumors surrounding the famous couple months before they announced they were dating. The MLB star became a World Series champion in 2017, and he has been one of the most impressive baseball players over the past decade. His relationship with supermodel Kate Upton went public in 2013, and it was big news. However, before they could really get going, the couple announced they were splitting. This didn’t last long, and the MLB star was back with his supermodel partner after a matter of months, and in 2017 they tied the knot.

Christian Ponder and Samantha Steele

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder had a promising start to his NFL career, but things slowed down for him after a few seasons. Despite trying to get signed for another franchise after leaving the Vikings, Ponder wasn’t able to play another NFL game after the 2014 season. Still, life isn’t all that bad for Ponder, who met his wife while he was playing in the NFL. Samantha Steel will be familiar to football fans as the host of ESPN’s ‘Sunday NFL Countdown,’ and they married in 2012. The couple met after Ponder began sending messages to Steele via Twitter.

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian

Fans of tennis will need little introduction to Serena Williams. The tennis star has grown to become one of the most successful players of all time, and has won 23 individual grand slam titles. Williams has been the face of tennis for a very long time and also has a hand in several beauty and fashion projects. Her partner is Alexis Ohanian, who is also very famous in certain circles. Ohanian is a co-founder of the social media platform reddit, and the couple has been together since 2015. The couple welcomed their first daughter into the world in 2017.

Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Tim Tebow shocked the world when he decided to ditch playing football for a living and made the switch to baseball. He was a starting quarterback during his NFL career, but Tebow wanted to try something new, so he’s trying to make it in the MLB. Tebow began dating South African model Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters back in 2018, and things seem to be moving quickly for the pair. Nel-Peters is a former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa, and the pair announced in 2019 that they were engaged.

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union

Recently retired NBA star Dwyane Wade met his future wife while hosting a Super Bowl party in 2007. He was co-hosting the event alongside Gabrielle Union, but they didn’t get together right away. Wade was married to someone else at the time, and Union had recently gotten divorced. The couple began dating in 2009, and they seemed to be having a great time together. They briefly separated in 2013 due to hectic work schedules, but eventually found their way back to each other and married in 2014.

Russell Wilson and Ciara

Russell Wilson is one of the leading quarterbacks in the NFL, and he’s used to the attention being on him. He has to settle for sharing the limelight when he steps out with his wife, pop star Ciara. The quarterback is regarded as one of the best in the league, and in 2019 he was the highest-paid star in his position in the league. The pair announced their relationship to the world in 2015 when they attended the White House State Dinner in April that year. Just one year later, the couple married and they welcomed their first child together in 2017.

Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood

Former hockey star Mike Fisher had a pretty long career in the NHL, and he made quite an impression on country singer Carrie Underwood when they met in 2008. Fisher was a guest at one of Underwood’s concerts, and the pair were set up by the bass player, Mike Childers. They hit things off immediately, but there was just one little problem, Fisher lived in Canada while Underwood was down in Nashville. The couple started a long-distance relationship before Fisher moved to Nashville in 2010, the same year he married Underwood.

Eric and Jessie James Decker

Former NFL wide receiver Eric Decker got to live the dream when he became a pro football player. While he wasn’t fortunate enough to win a Super Bowl, he still has plenty of happy memories from football that no one can take away from him. As Eric’s career was coming to an end, he found himself in the spotlight in another way, on the reality TV show ‘Eric and Jessie: Game On.’ He starred in this show alongside his country singing wife Jessie James Decker.

Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra

Mia Hamm is regarded as one of the greatest soccer stars the United States has ever seen. The star scored over 150 goals for the United States Women’s National Team, won the World Cup twice, and also has two Olympic gold medals in her collection. Her husband is Nomar Garciaparra, a baseball star who made a big impression on MLB during his relatively short career. In nine seasons, Garciaparra was selected as an All-Star on six occasions. The couple has been married since 2003, two years after they started dating.

Lindsey Vonn and P.K. Subban

It seems that both Lindsey Vonn and P.K. Subban like things cold. They are both stars of winter sports, with Vonn being an Olympic champion at alpine skiing. Vonn retired from her sport, but she still gets to feel the buzz of competition as she cheers on her partner P.K. Subban at the hockey rink. Subban recently traded to the New Jersey Devils in the NHL but has had a long career playing for the Predators and Canadiens. The couple made their relationship public in 2018, and things still seem to be going well for them.

Roger and Mirka Federer

Tennis superstar Roger Federer has been at the top of the tennis circuit for almost two decades, but he hasn’t been there alone. Besides his great rival on the court, Rafael Nadal, Federer has been joined by his wife, Mirka. While Roger is down on the court showing off his skills, Mirka tends to be sitting in the spectator’s box, cheering her husband on. The couple welcomed their first child together in 2009 and have grown their family with four children over the years.

Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson

Former NFL star Eric Johnson played tight end for the San Fransisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints during a relatively short football career. That short career didn’t stop Johnson from making an impression on a huge pop star in Jessica Simpson. The pair met and fell in love in 2010 before getting married in 2014. Johnson reportedly proposed to Simpson on Nov 11, at 11:11am with rose petals on the ground and Led Zeppelin’s ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ playing in the background.

C.J. Wilson and Lisalla Montenegro

Former MLB star C.J. Wilson can be proud of his pitching career in the major leagues, even if he wasn’t fortunate enough to win a World Series. The former Los Angeles Angels pitcher met the woman of his dreams in 2012 when Brazilian lingerie model Lisalla Montenegro catwalked into his life. After dating for just a year the couple married, and together they have two daughters. Wilson had only recently been traded to Los Angeles when he met Lisalla, and it seems as though the stars aligned perfectly for them to fall in love.

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker

Former tennis star Andy Roddick was best-known for having a huge serve that was almost impossible for his opponents to return. His game wasn’t all about that serve, but it certainly was an asset for the American star. Roddick managed to reach the rank of world number one and even managed to win his home grand slam, the U.S. Open. While he was still playing, Roddick met actress and Sports Illustrated model, Brooklyn Decker, after contacting her agent for a meeting. Once they met, they fell in love and married in 2009.

Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne

Ronda Rousey became one of the most famous women in mixed martial arts after dominating her division in the UFC for years. She became a global superstar, and before she even stepped into the cage, she had already won Olympic silver in judo. Her rise to the top of the sport saw her fall in love with a fellow fighter, Travis Browne. The heavyweight didn’t have as much success as his partner, but together they make for an amazing team. Most recently, fans of Rousey got to see their hero compete in the world of professional wrestling in the WWE.

Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi

While Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi were playing for the same WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, the pair kept their relationship a secret. Taylor retired from playing basketball in 2016, and this couple announced their relationship to the world in 2017, when they married. After leaving the Mercury, Taylor would return to her familiar basketball home to work as an assistant coach. Taurasi remains a player with the Mercury put it seems the couple are able to put their relationship to one side to keep things professional on the court.

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf

This couple is definitely considered tennis royalty. They were both superstars, and remain some of the biggest names in the sport today. Steffi Graf was a sensation when she took to the tennis court, and she won 22 singles grand slam competitions. Andre Agassi was no slouch either and was known for both his talents on the tennis court and also his fashion sense. The American famously played at the U. S. Open in jean shorts. The couple started dating after the French Open in 1999 and now have their own family together after tying the knot in 2001.

Julie and Zach Ertz

Although neither of them was playing the sport, Julie and Zach Ertz met at a Stanford University baseball game back in 2012. Julie was playing soccer for Santa Clara University, and after a while, the couple began dating. They tied the knot in 2017, and both have had quite a lot of success in their relative sports. In soccer, Julie has won two Women’s World Cups with the United States Women’s National Team, while Zach has had success of his own. The football star scored the winning touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LII.

Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky

Dustin Johnson has a great track record of winning PGA tour events. The American once spent 91 weeks as the world number one men’s golfer, and in 2016 he made his dreams come true when he won the U. S. Open. While golf might be a pretty pedestrian sport compared to others, things moved pretty fast for Johnson when it came to his love life. He met Paulina Gretsky, the model and pop singer who happens to be the daughter of hockey legend Wayne, in 2013. Just seven months after they started dating, the couple announced their engagement.

Nick Swisher and JoAnna Garcia

Former MLB star Nick Swisher had a pretty impressive career on the baseball diamond. The outfielder and first baseman was named an All-Star in 2010 after winning his first World Series title in 2009. Swisher played all over the United States during his career, finding himself on the rosters of franchises in Oakland, Chicago, Cleveland, and Atlanta. The former baseball star met his future wife, actress JoAnna Garcia, in 2009, and just a year later, he had married the ‘Better With You’ star.

Laila Ali and Curtis Conway

Former professional boxer Laila Ali became a world champion in the ring, following in the footsteps of her father, the great fighter Muhammad Ali. It wasn’t a huge shock to see the younger Ali become a champion after inheriting some of her father’s fighting spirit. Ali isn’t the only sporting hero in her marriage, though, and the former boxer is married to Curtis Conway, a former pro football player. The couple married in 2007 and have two children together, while Laila also acts as a stepmother to Conway’s three children from a previous relationship.

Misty May-Treanor and Matt Treanor

Olympic beach volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor found success at the Summer Games in 2004, 2008, and 2012. The three-time Olympic gold medallist had a big year in 2004, when she not only won big in Athens, but she also met her future husband, Matt Treanor. May-Treanor met the baseball catcher in January 2004, and by November of the same year, the pair married. Matt’s time in MLB is best-known for his four years with the Florida Marlins. After retiring from volleyball in 2012, Misty gave birth to a daughter in 2014, and the couple added twins in 2017.

Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton

The hugely successful track duo of Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton met when they were teenagers, when Brianne went to the University of Oregon on a recruitment visit. Ashton was a freshman at the time. This pair met once again in 2007 when they were both competing at the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships in Brazil. It seemed as though they were destined to keep meeting, and eventually, they started dating in 2008 before marrying in 2013. They competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, with Brianne taking a bronze medal and Ashton winning two golds.

Amanda Nunes and Nina Ansaroff

Amanda Nunes is a two-weight UFC champion and has secured victories over the best fighters in MMA history to make her the greatest. Nunes is the first open member of the LGBTQ+ community to become a UFC champion, and her partner, Nina Ansaroff, also fights with the organization. The pair began dating back in 2012 after meeting each other in a fighting gym in Miami. Since then, their relationship has blossomed, and in 2018 the couple announced they were engaged. Although they both love to fight, we hope they settle their differences without wearing boxing gloves.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic are a hugely successful sporting couple who both reached the top in their sports. Schweinsteiger played the majority of his soccer career with German giants Bayern Munich and lifted the World Cup with the German national team. He became even more familiar with soccer fans in the United States when he signed for MLS franchise the Chicago Fire in 2017. His partner is former tennis world number one Ana Ivanovic, and the couple began dating in 2014. Since then, they married in 2016 and have welcomed two children into their lives.

Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick

When he calls time on his football career, Aaron Rodgers might go down as one of the all-time great quarterbacks. He has it all when it comes to playing quarterback and even has his Super Bowl ring to prove it. His partner is also a trailblazer, and Rodgers has been dating racing car driver Danica Patrick since 2018. Patrick is one of the highest-earning racing drivers in the world, and she met Rodgers at the 2012 ESPYs. The pair remained friends ever since they first met, but only began dating each other when they both came out of relationships.

Carmelo Anthony and La La Vasquez

Carmelo Anthony has been one of the shining lights in basketball for a very long time. Although he hasn’t managed to win an NBA championship, Anthony was a major source of hope for long-suffering New York Knicks fans. In every season Anthony played with the Knicks, he became an All-Star. His partner is La La Vasquez, someone Anthony has been with for almost 20 years. Vasquez is a reality TV star and New York Times best-selling author, and this highly impressive couple married in 2010.

Dom Dwyer and Sydney Leroux

Soccer-playing couple Dom Dwyer and Sydney Leroux were able to meet thanks to the teams they were both playing for. Dwyer was playing for the Orlando City SC, while Leroux was playing for the Orlando Pride. Both players brought their love of soccer to Florida, and the pair began dating back in 2014. Just one year later, they had tied the knot. 2015 was a big year for Leroux, who also represented the United States Women’s National Team at the World Cup.

Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee

Former world number one tennis star Caroline Wozniacki began dating fellow sports star David Lee back in 2017. Wozniacki was no stranger to dating a professional sports star following her relationship with golf star Rory McIlroy. After that relationship ended, Wozniacki found love once more with the NBA star Lee. Lee spent over a decade playing in the NBA and won the championship during his five years with the Golden State Warriors. The couple announced in 2019 that they would be taking their relationship to the next level after tying the knot in a ceremony in Tuscany, Italy.

Stephen and Ayesha Curry

When Stephen and Ayesha Curry were 15 and 14 years old, they met each other at a North Carolina Church. It wasn’t until several years later that the couple actually began dating, when Stephen was heading to the ESPYs. Ayesha was in LA trying to make it as an actress, and Stephen looked her up on social media to see if she wanted to hang out. The couple has been together ever since and have seen their respective careers grow from strength to strength. Stephen is one of the all-time NBA greats, while Ayesha hosts her own cooking TV show.

J. J. Watt and Kealia Ohai

American football star J. J. Watt began dating soccer star Kealia Ohai back in 2016. Watt was able to make the connection to Ohai through a former teammate, Brian Cushing, who is married to Kealia’s sister. Once the pair met, they hit things off but chose to keep their relationship a secret until they were ready to share the news with the rest of the world. Watt has been a part of the Houston Texans since 2011, and Ohai was playing soccer for the Houston Dash when the pair met.

Jrue Holiday and Lauren Cheney

NBA star Jrue Holiday and retired soccer star Lauren Cheney met when they went to a women’s basketball game at UCLA. The pair hit things off but remained friends for a while before deciding to date each other. They first started dating in 2008, and after five years, they got married in 2013. Just a few months into the pregnancy of their first child, Cheney discovered she had a benign brain tumor. After giving birth to their first daughter, Cheney had the tumor removed, with Holiday taking a leave of absence from the NBA to look after his family.

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird are a well-matched couple thanks to their success in the world of sports. As a soccer player, Rapinoe has a long list of accolades, including winning the Women’s World Cup twice and an Olympic gold medal. The gold medal is something she has in common with her partner, Sue Bird. Bird is also an Olympic champion but in the sport of basketball. The basketball star has four Olympic gold medals and three WNBA championships. This couple first started dating in 2016 and made history by featuring on the cover of ESPN’s ‘The Body Issue.’

Tony Romo and Candice Crawford

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had an eventful football career, and now that he’s retired, he still remains firmly in the spotlight. After retiring, Romo continued making a name for himself by becoming an expert analyst who seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to predicting plays. The former Cowboy met the former Miss Missouri and journalist Candice Crawford back in 2009. The couple met in the summer, and by December 2010, they were engaged. Romo and Crawford married in 2011 and have created their own little family with three children.

Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert

When hockey star Dion Phaneuf was doing his thing on the ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he had many admirers in the stands. One of those admirers was Canadian actress and star of hits like ‘24’ and ‘The Girl Next Door,’ Elisha Cuthbert. Phaneuf had risen to become the captain for the Maple Leafs in 2012, the same year that he proposed to Cuthbert. The couple were married in 2013 and would live in Ottawa during the hockey season, and summer in New London during the offseason.

Shawn Johnson and Andrew East

Former Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson knows what it takes to win a gold medal at the Summer Games. At the 2008 games in Beijing, she won gold on the balance beam, while also winning three silver medals at the same tournament. Johnson met her future husband, former NFL long snapper Andrew East, in 2012. The couple was introduced by Andrew’s brother, Guy, who knew a friend of Shawn’s. After meeting in 2012, the pair decided to start dating in 2013, and they are now married after tying the knot in 2016.

Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris

United States Women’s National Team heroes Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris met way back in 2010 when they both began training together. In that time, they have both gone on to win two World Cups together, but the couple tried to keep their relationship a secret. They didn’t want it to become a distraction from the action on the field, so they waited until 2019 to announce their engagement. After making the announcement, the couple went on to star together for the USWMNT in 2019, helping them once again become world champions.

Gerard Pique and Shakira

When it comes to soccer, Spanish star Gerard Pique has won it all. Thanks to an amazing career with Barcelona and Spain, Pique has won the World Cup, Champions League, La Liga, and European Championships. He was already leading the dream life before he found love with Colombian pop star Shakira. Shakira needs little introduction after becoming a big name in world music for the past two decades. The couple began dating back in 2011, and after almost a decade together, they have two children in their family.

Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco

Soccer players Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco met when they were both at the University of California, Berkeley. They dedicated their lives to playing soccer professionally, and they both made it. Morgan has gone on to become a superstar for the United States Women’s National Team, winning the World Cup twice, and an Olympic gold medal. Carrasco has also made it to the top, and he has played in the MLS for multiple franchises, including the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. The couple married in 2014 and have made things work despite often being on opposite sides of the country.

Pete Sampras and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras

Tennis legend Pete Sampras was one of the biggest names in the sport during his playing days. He won 14 grand slam titles, and at times seemed almost unbeatable, much to the disappointment of his rivals. Even though he was a huge tennis star, when he met actress Bridgette Wilson, she had no idea who he was. It was Bridgette’s sister who urged the ‘Last Action Hero’ and ‘Billy Madison’ star to go out on a date with Sampras, and they hit things off pretty quickly. The couple married in 2000 and have two sons together.

Hakeem Nicks and Ariel Meredith

Former NFL star Hakeem Nicks had a lot of success on the gridiron. The wide receiver spent most of his career playing for the New York Giants, although he did have one season with the Colts too. Nicks was fortunate enough to win the ultimate prize in football, the Super Bowl, when he was part of the historic Giants team that won Super Bowl XLVI. The former NFL star became engaged to serial Sports Illustrated cover model Ariel Meredith in 2014.

Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch

WWE superstars Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch rose to the top of the professional wrestling business on their own. Once they made it to the top, they formed a strong alliance in May 2019 when they announced they were dating. Lynch is now one of the biggest names on the WWE roster and has been the Raw Women’s Champion for over a year. Her partner, Seth Rollins, has also been a WWE champion on multiple occasions and is a leading star on the men’s roster. The couple announced they were engaged in August 2019.

Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vandebosch

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon is used to living life at a frantic pace behind the wheel of his racing cars. Gordon is used to winning in his life and not just on the track. In 2002 Gordon was introduced to the Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch at a party in The Hamptons. Although they made a connection right away, the couple didn’t start dating until 2004. Vandebosch began her modeling career back in the 1980s and featured in a number of esteemed magazines including Elle, Glamour, and Vogue. The pair married in 2006 and reside in North Carolina.

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