No, there is no evidence that WNBA star Sue Bird and singer Nick Carter ever dated. Sue Bird is an American professional basketball player who has played in the WNBA for the Seattle Storm since 2002. Nick Carter is an American singer best known as a member of the boy band Backstreet Boys.
Sue Bird and Nick Carter have very different career paths and do not appear to have ever crossed paths romantically. Sue Bird married soccer player Megan Rapinoe in 2022. Nick Carter dated Paris Hilton in the early 2000s and later married Lauren Kitt. There are no credible reports of Nick Carter and Sue Bird ever being in a relationship.
Sue Bird’s Basketball Career
Sue Bird was born in 1980 in Syosset, New York. She was a standout basketball player in high school and college at the University of Connecticut. In 2002, Bird was drafted 1st overall by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA draft. She won championship titles with the Storm in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020.
Bird is a 12-time WNBA All-Star and 4-time Olympic gold medalist with team USA Women’s Basketball. She is considered one of the greatest point guards and players in WNBA history. Off the court, Bird is known for her longtime relationship with soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
WNBA Accomplishments
- 4x WNBA Champion (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020)
- 12x WNBA All-Star (2002-2016, 2021)
- 5x All-WNBA First Team (2002, 2003, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- 5x All-WNBA Second Team (2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2021)
- WNBA assists leader (2005)
- WNBA Peak Performer – Assists (2009)
USA Basketball Accomplishments
- 4x Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- 3x FIBA World Cup gold medalist (2002, 2010, 2014)
- FIBA World Cup MVP (2010)
Nick Carter’s Music Career
Nick Carter was born in 1980 in Jamestown, New York. As a child, he appeared on several TV shows and commercials before becoming famous as a member of the boy band the Backstreet Boys. The Backstreet Boys were one of the most successful boy bands of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Some of the Backstreet Boys’ hit songs include “I Want It That Way,” “Larger than Life,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and “As Long as You Love Me.” They have sold over 100 million records worldwide. Nick Carter was known as the young heartthrob of the group.
Backstreet Boys Highlights
- Formed in 1993 in Orlando, Florida
- Best-selling boy band of all time with over 100 million records sold
- 8 top 10 albums on the Billboard 200
- Several multi-platinum albums including Millennium (12x platinum)
- Major hits: “Quit Playing Games,” “As Long As You Love Me,” “I Want It That Way”
In 2002, Nick Carter released a solo album called Now or Never. It was certified gold. He has since released several more solo albums over the years. Carter has also acted in movies, TV shows, and Broadway musicals. He married Lauren Kitt in 2014.
Relationship History
Sue Bird’s Relationships
Throughout her basketball career, Sue Bird maintained a very private personal life outside of her high-profile relationship with fellow athlete Megan Rapinoe.
Some key points about Sue Bird’s dating history:
- Was in a long-term relationship with soccer player Megan Rapinoe from 2016 until they got engaged in 2020. They married in 2022.
- Kept her personal and dating life very private outside of her relationship with Rapinoe.
- Rarely commented on or confirmed any other relationships.
- No reports or indication of ever dating Nick Carter or anyone from the music industry.
- Focused mainly on her basketball career and olympic training over the years.
Nick Carter’s Relationships
Nick Carter dated a number of high-profile celebrities during his time with the Backstreet Boys and as a solo artist.
Some key points about Nick Carter’s dating history:
- Briefly dated pop star Deborah Gibson in the late 1990s.
- Had a highly publicized relationship with Paris Hilton in the early 2000s.
- Reportedly also dated stars including Willa Ford and Amanda Bynes during early 2000s.
- Had a longer relationship with fitness expert Kaci Brown in the mid 2000s.
- Became engaged to Lauren Kitt, a fitness trainer, in 2013. They married in 2014.
- No reports or indication Carter ever dated WNBA star Sue Bird.
Based on their very different careers and dating histories, there is no evidence Sue Bird and Nick Carter ever dated or even met each other.
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s Relationship Timeline
WNBA star Sue Bird and soccer player Megan Rapinoe began dating in 2016. They were engaged in 2020 and married in 2022. Here is a timeline of their high-profile relationship:
Year | Relationship Milestone |
---|---|
2016 | Bird and Rapinoe start dating after meeting at the 2016 Rio Olympics |
2020 | The couple announce their engagement on social media |
2022 | Bird and Rapinoe marry in Malibu, CA surrounded by family and friends |
The basketball and soccer stars have been very open about their relationship over the years, frequently posting about each other on social media and making public appearances together. They have said they bond over shared values and their status as elite LGBT athletes.
Analysis: Why Nick Carter and Sue Bird Never Dated
Although Nick Carter and Sue Bird were around the same age and both famous athletes in their own realms, there is no credible evidence of them ever dating or even meeting. Here are some key reasons why:
- They lived on opposite coasts – Carter originated from Florida and California while Bird grew up in New York and Connecticut.
- Different social circles – Carter associated with pop stars and actors while Bird socialized mainly with other female athletes.
- Contrasting personalities – Carter sought the spotlight while Bird preferred to keep her personal life private.
- Too focused on their sports – Both were intensely committed to training and competing in their sports during their youth and primes.
- Never mentioned each other – Neither Bird or Carter ever mentioned or hinted at knowing the other in interviews over the decades.
Nick Carter was only ever linked to dating other singers or actresses while Bird only had public relationships with women athletes. Their worlds seemingly never overlapped.
Conclusion
Based on all available information, there is no evidence that WNBA star Sue Bird and singer Nick Carter ever dated or had any kind of relationship.
Sue Bird dedicated her personal life to her basketball career and relationship with Megan Rapinoe. Nick Carter dated various pop stars and celebrities during his boy band fame.
Bird and Carter traveled in very different circles and there are no credible accounts placing them together romantically at any point. The rumor of them dating was likely just speculative given their similar ages and fame, but appears to have no truth behind it.