Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and Louisiana State University gymnast Olivia Dunne have been in a relationship since 2023.[1][2] Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU, won the 2024 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award unanimously.[1] Dunne competed for the LSU Tigers gymnastics team, which captured its first NCAA Championship in 2024.[3]

Dunne accompanied Skenes to the Rookie of the Year announcement on November 18, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[1] She has attended multiple Pirates games, including road contests on the East Coast.[2][4]

In a February 2024 interview with People magazine, Dunne described their approach to managing busy schedules and distance. "Honestly, I don't think we have any rules. I just think being super present with one another while you're together, while you have that time together, is super important," she said. She added that Skenes attends her events and she tries to attend his starts.[4]

Dunne revealed in a GQ Magazine interview that their relationship nearly did not begin because Skenes did not follow her back on Instagram initially. Skenes explained he rarely used the platform at the time. Both attended LSU, where Skenes pitched and Dunne competed in gymnastics.[2][5]

Skenes made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2024, posting a 1.96 ERA over 133 innings in 23 starts during the regular season.[1]

Sources

1. MLB.com
   Paul Skenes unanimously wins 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Award
   November 18, 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-wins-2024-nl-rookie-of-the-year-award-c307878826
2. ESPN.com
   Pirates' Paul Skenes, girlfriend Livvy Dunne share how they make long-distance relationship work
   March 28, 2024
   https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41659992/pittsburgh-pirates-paul-skenes-livvy-dunne-long-distance-relationship
3. LSUsports.net
   No. 4 LSU Wins First NCAA Gymnastics Championship
   April 20, 2024
   https://lsusports.net/news/2024/4/20/womens-gymnastics-no-4-lsu-wins-first-ncaa-championship
4. People.com
   Olivia Dunne Says There's 'No Rules' in Her Relationship with Paul Skenes (Exclusive)
   February 12, 2024 (accessed October 2024)
   https://people.com/olivia-dunne-paul-skenes-relationship-rules-exclusive-8556789
5. GQ.com / Fox News Digital (reporting GQ interview)
   Olivia Dunne reveals relationship with Paul Skenes almost never happened: 'He wouldn’t follow me back'
   April 15, 2025
   https://www.foxnews.com/sports/olivia-dunne-paul-skenes-relationship-almost-never-happened-gq