“I’m trying to go to as many baseball games as I can. I really just enjoy watching him, and he’s always on the go. He’s an athlete, so I get it. I get the grind,” Olivia Dunne had once said at the Fanatics Fest, speaking about boyfriend Paul Skenes. A Sports Illustrated model, social media star, and LSU gymnastics standout, Dunne has long been in the spotlight. After a five-year run with LSU and a gymnastics journey that began at age three, she became one of the program’s defining faces. When she tearfully announced her retirement, the next chapter was already underway, one that included supporting Paul. But being in the spotlight alongside a rising sports star isn’t always easy. And a recent incident proves just that.

Dunne attended the Minnesota Twins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates game at Target Field on July 11, supporting her boyfriend, Pirates starter Paul Skenes. In a tough matchup, Skenes pitched five strong innings, allowing just two earned runs, but still took the loss when Pittsburgh fell 2–1. The headline moment? Dunne was playfully featured on the Jumbotron, only to draw criticism from some MLB fans online. “I have no idea who this is,” read one cold comment — a subtle yet stinging dismissal of her identity. Now she is facing it again.

Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne shared a sweet moment on the 2025 MLB All-Star red carpet in Atlanta on July 15. Skenes elegantly kneeled to re‑lace his girlfriend’s heel strap as she lifted her navy, backless halter dress. “Getting Red-Carpet ready with Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne 🤩”, the official Instagram handle of the MLB uploaded the video with this caption. And a fan was quick to ask, “Can we just stick to baseball posts please.“

It is safe to say that after her latest MLB game appearance, fan outrage toward Olivia Dunne has only grown. With this new moment, it’s clear MLB fans aren’t thrilled about the rising power couple, especially after her surprising “secret ritual” for Skenes’ success. Here’s what fans are saying.

Fans question MLB for posting Olivia Dunne

To start with, many fans have started to compare Dunne and Skenes to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. One person said, ” it’s starting to turn into taylor swift and travis Kelce” while another didn’t back down from saying, “Travis and Taylor of MLB button >>>” What they mean is that MLB is doing what the NFL did with “Travis and Taylor”—marketing Paul  Skenes and Olivia  Dunne as their own star couple to attract younger, digital-first audiences. Skenes himself even confirmed, “Yes, MLB is trying to market us as that.”

But this has consequences. Fans have frequently complained that Taylor Swift is shown too often during broadcasts, overshadowing the actual game. Although the pop star has been defended against the hate, the criticism has not diminished. Olivia Dunne might be headed down the same path, as fans have begun questioning why certain videos are posted by MLB. One fan asked, “Why did MLB post this?” while another added, “Why is this a post?”

Another fan taunted, “I bet Livvy Dunne and the Ohtanis dog have had more posts from MLB than the Miami Marlins.” This also must have to do with fan following. Marlins as a team have 797K followers on Instagram compared with 5.4M followers of the former gymnast. One fan also felt this was nothing special as he said, “I did this for my mom when I was 7 years old, not that deep .” But whether it’s a small gesture or something more, it’s clear Paul and Olivia’s bond has captured plenty of attention. What do you think? Sweet moment or social media spotlight? Share your thoughts in the comments.