Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s A Touch More Sets First Scripted Series With Soccer Romance ‘Cleat Cute’

variety.com:

Angelique Jackson Sports icons Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are getting in the game as TV producers. Bird and Rapinoe’s production banner, A Touch More, has teamed up with independent TV studio Future Shack Entertainment to develop “Cleat Cute,” the bestselling novel from author Meryl Wilsner. “Cleat Cute” is a contemporary queer romance that follows a young soccer player as she juggles being the new rookie, her goals of making the national team, and a budding romance with her team captain. “Sports is a universal language and breeding ground for world class storytelling,” said Future Shack CEO Jeff Wachtel in a 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.” Bird, Rapinoe and A Touch More’s head of development Camille Bernier-Green will executive produce the forthcoming project alongside Wilsner. “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,” added 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.” “Cleat Cute” marks A Touch More’s first foray into scripted content following its 2022 launch.

Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA and NCAA basketball champion, and Rapinoe, a two-time FIFA World Cup-winning soccer superstar, founded the company in partnership with sports media and commerce company TOGETHXR, and with the mission to championing diverse stories.