Livvy Dunne, a Pittsburgh Pirates fan favorite, has become a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model.
The recently retired NCAA gymnast is the girlfriend of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. She’s made numerous appearances to watch him play in Pittsburgh.
The former LSU Tiger was chosen to be one of four covers for the issue, along with Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles, entrepreneur Lauren Chan and Oscar-nominated actress, Emmy-Award winning director and producer Salma Hayek, USA Today reported.
I’m officially a sports illustrated swim cover model!!!???????? @SI_Swimsuit @SInow pic.twitter.com/uwn4yQBElM
— Olivia Dunne (@livvydunne) May 13, 2025
“People like to discredit what I do because of the way I look,” Dunne told Sports Illustrated. “But if you take a deeper dive, there’s so much more.”
MJ Day, editor-in-chief of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, said Dunne has changed “the game for athletes everywhere” by “being one of the first to leverage the power of name, image and likeness deals, building a brand that’s both financially successful and rooted in showing the real Livvy.
“She’s not just a social media sensation,” Day said. “She’s a pioneering force who has created opportunities for herself and, by extension, countless other athletes by demonstrating how to navigate the intersection of sports, business and digital influence.”
More than an athlete. More than a model.
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) May 13, 2025
“@livvydunne’s why goes far beyond the floor and bars—it’s about changing the game for athletes everywhere. She was one of the first to leverage the power of name, image and likeness deals, building a brand that’s both financially… pic.twitter.com/V4RDvxbCq6
