Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne’s relationship in 2026: How the Pittsburgh Pirates star and LSU gymnast balance love, careers, fame and life together | MLB News

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes (Image source: Instagram)

Paul Skenes and Olivia Livvy Dunne are still arguably the most recognisable young couple in American sports. The two started dating while they were student-athletes at Louisiana State University, before Skenes was the No. 1 overall MLB Draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Dunne became one of the biggest names in college gymnastics and sports social media.They live a long way from the LSU campus now. Skenes is a major league baseball player, while Dunne has moved on from college gymnastics to a wider career in media, modelling and brand partnerships. Despite their busy schedules and the constant scrutiny of the public eye, the couple has managed to make their relationship work through mutual support and independence.

Paul Skenes and Olivia Livvy Dunne relationship in 2026

Skenes and Dunne’s history goes back to their days at LSU, as athletes. Dunne has told the story before of seeing Skenes before they were officially a couple and her initial difficulty in knowing if he’d seen her back, given his minimal social media presence.The relationship became public in 2023, around the time Skenes went first overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The couple’s routine changed quickly with Skenes’ transition to professional baseball, as he began his MLB career and Dunne continued her gymnastics career at LSU.By 2026, their relationship has grown up, and they have taken two very different paths professionally. Skenes watches the Pirates and the MLB schedule closely much of the year, while Dunne has built a career on media appearances, brand partnerships and her huge digital following.

Paul Skenes and Olivia Livvy Dunne support each other’s careers

Their relationship has often been one of professional support. Dunne has been around for some of the big moments of Skenes’ baseball career, including games during his meteoric rise through MLB. She’s also become a familiar face to Pirates fans and baseball audiences.Meanwhile, Skenes has also stood by Dunne as her career has blossomed outside of gymnastics. Her move away from collegiate competition didn’t mean stepping away from the spotlight. Rather, she went on to build out opportunities in entertainment, fashion, social media and commercial partnerships.The couple’s schedules can make it difficult to spend quality time together. Baseball means Skenes will be away from home a lot with the Pirates, while Dunne’s professional commitments can also take her across the country. The approach, Dunne said, is not about relationship rules but about giving each other freedom and making the most of the time they have together.That balance has grown more important as they’ve both become more famous. Skenes has a relatively private personality away from baseball, while Dunne is highly active online. This difference has allowed each to occupy a different space without needing the other to reflect the same public profile.

Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes and Olivia Livvy Dunne handle spotlight

They are one of the most high-profile young couples in sports, so there are plenty of eyes on them, especially when one shares a moment with the other online. Dunne’s active social media presence means even the most mundane relationship moments can generate huge fan reactions very quickly.She’s also gained a reputation for animated reactions while watching Skenes pitch. Her excitement at Pirates games has added another dimension to their public image, while humorous posts about attending or watching his games have occasionally sparked strong reactions online.Outside of the baseball stadiums and social media, the couple has also shared a more laid-back side to their relationship. Public appearances, joint interviews and playful moments have given us glimpses into their personalities, without suggesting they’re foregoing their desire for privacy.