Former USWNT soccer player Megan Rapinoe and her partner Sue Bird are reportedly collaborating on a TV show about lesbian athletes based on the novel “Cleat Cute.” Rapinoe and Bird’s production studio, A Touch More, will be working with Future Shack Entertainment to develop the show.
“Cleat Cute,” written by bestselling author Meryl Wilsner has been described as a “contemporary queer romance” that details the life of a young lesbian soccer player. Future Shack CEO Jeff Wachtel released a statement about the upcoming project with Rapinoe and Bird, expressing excitement about producing the show.
“Sports is a universal language and breeding ground for world class storytelling,” said Wachtel in his statement. “As women’s sports captivate audiences around the globe, we’re proud to partner with two of the most iconic athletes of our time, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, to bring Meryl Wilsner’s delightful world to life in a bold, sexy and fun ensemble show.”
Rapinoe and her partner noted the show would be an outlet to simultaneously celebrate their sexual identity and athletic experiences. “Having spent most of our lives on teams, we want to celebrate the ways in which relationships, both romantic and platonic, are organically created through sports,” said Bird and Rapinoe. “‘Cleat Cute’” will not shy away from the messiness, occasional frustration, and undeniable beauty that come with loving the game and the players within it.”
Megan Rapinoe has consistently made headlines for her controversial comments, particularly toward the Christian community. The American Tribune reported earlier this year after Rapinoe mocked Christians, claiming her detractors have a “special place in hell.”
The crass and blasphemous remarks came as Rapinoe was speaking about a career-ending Achilles injury she sustained last year. Addressing the devastating injury, the former professional soccer player said, “It is sad. I wish that didn’t happen.”
“I’m just thinking about my teammates coming over and – of course, it’s sad, but it’s also like – I don’t know, it’s kind of just like life. We want these perfect stories, and I’m like a controversial figure and having people lowkey celebrate it. But then also be so disingenuous about that that part is kinda funny too. I’m like, ‘Wow, you guys are in a special place in hell that you’re celebrating this,’” said Rapinoe.
Rapinoe had previously made digs toward Christianity, suggesting her injury is proof that God doesn’t exist. “I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a god, like, this is proof that there isn’t. This is f—ed up. It’s just f—ed up. Six minutes in and I eat my Achilles.”
The soccer player defended the comments, suggesting she was merely joking, seemingly surprised that Christians would take offense to her mocking their religious beliefs. “Somebody needs to check on the Christians. They’re not OK. They also missed the whole joke, but OK. Don’t act like A. you’re surprised by me making this joke about what happened or finding a dig. Who’s it at? God, myself, religion, the world? I don’t know. It’s just funny,” Rapinoe said.
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