A new era dawned in Pittsburgh as Paul Skenes made a strong debut with the Pirates, but it was his girlfriend, social media sensation and LSU gymnast Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, who also entered the spotlight in her “WAG era.” MLB hyped up Dunne’s arrival to PNC Park with a post on the league’s TikTok page, labeling it as her “MLB WAG era.” Dunne expressed her nerves about being a spectator, but she had confidence in Skenes and his abilities, especially after watching him strike out seven batters in his debut game against the Chicago Cubs.
While Dunne’s fame may not rival that of pop star Taylor Swift, she is a highly paid NIL athlete with an impressive social media following of over 13.3 million followers across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Fans eagerly watched her pages for clues about Skenes’ call-up to the majors, and when the announcement finally came, they were ecstatic. Skenes, the top overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft out of LSU, had been showcasing his talent in Triple-A Indianapolis before receiving the long-awaited promotion to the big leagues.
Dunne and Skenes shared the excitement of his debut, with Dunne describing how they had just woken up from a nap to missed calls from the Pirates instructing them to pack up and head to Pittsburgh. With nerves high, Skenes did not disappoint, striking out his first two batters and reaching a fastball speed of 102 mph during the game. Fans packed PNC Park to witness the promising rookie’s performance, and Dunne could not have been prouder of his accomplishment.
As Skenes continues his MLB journey, Dunne will be by his side, providing unwavering support. MLB may be looking to tap into a new demographic by spotlighting Dunne and her relationship with the rising baseball star, emulating the NFL’s success in highlighting the personal lives of its players. With Dunne’s vast social media following and the public’s interest in their relationship, more content featuring the couple is likely to come from the league’s social media platforms.
Dunne expressed her pride in Skenes and his hard work, emphasizing that this moment was a culmination of his dedication and perseverance. While Dunne may find it challenging to be a spectator, she has full confidence in Skenes’ abilities and is excited to witness his journey in MLB. As the couple navigates this new chapter together, fans can expect to see more of their relationship showcased on social media and possibly even by the league itself, further engaging a broad audience in the excitement of Skenes’ promising career with the Pirates.
