Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum relationship, explained: NFL and WNBA stars tackle long-distance marriage

Emily Dozier

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Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum relationship, explained: NFL and WNBA stars tackle long-distance marriage image

Sick of hearing about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift? Don't worry, we have another NFL-based power couple ready for you to follow.

Kelsey Plum and Darren Waller are known for their careers in the WNBA and NFL, keeping their relationship close to their hearts. In fact, it wasn't until a few days before their marriage that their status was made known.

The private-but-not-secret couple has been through a lot in their short relationship, but it could all be worth it soon. Plum and the Aces are on the verge of clinching their second straight WNBA championship, possibly in no other city than New York, where Waller is based now after being traded from Las Vegas.

MORE: What to watch in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals

Now that the two play across the country from each other, how did their relationship all start and where are they now?

Darren Waller and Kelsey Plum's relationship

It's unsure when the couple began dating, but Waller has been seen at Aces games for a few years.

Things started heating up in 2022 when Plum appeared on Waller's podcast Comeback Stories, created as a way for him to share his recovery from addiction. Plum, who tore her Achilles tendon in 2020, returned to the WNBA better than ever.

The pair were constantly seen hanging out, even attending the IX Awards at Allegiant Stadium together. Waller attended Plum's games while the Aces won the 2022 WNBA Championship.

On March 4 this year, Waller and Plum tied the knot in Las Vegas. 

It was a secret wedding, as the couple wasn't publicly official until a few days before when Raider's coach Josh McDaniels made the news public and leaked the information.

Things seemed to be smooth sailing anyway. The newlyweds traveled to Turks and Caicos for their honeymoon, but upon immediate return, Waller was traded to the Giants.

MORE: Raiders trade to Giants 'upset' Darren Waller after news of marriage to Kelsey Plum leaked by Josh McDaniels

Plum joked on social media McDaniels did so,  "Prolly cause he wasn’t invited to the wedding lol."

It's not the way Plum and Waller wanted to start their marriage, thousands of miles apart. Luckily, the league's different seasons make it easier for the two to travel and see each other. The WNBA starts in May and ends in August, while the NFL takes place from September to January or February, if your team makes the Super Bowl.

Coincidentally, Plum and the Aces are looking to close out their season in New York. They're in the WNBA Finals again, up 2-0 on the Liberty after dominating in Las Vegas. 

MORE: A'ja Wilson stars in Game 2 of WNBA Finals to give Las Vegas 2-0 series lead

Waller will not attend Game 3 on Sunday as the Giants will be on the road against the Bills. But if the Liberty win that one, Waller will likely be courtside in Barclays Center with hopes of watching Plum and Las Vegas clinch its second straight WNBA Championship.

Darren Waller stats

In 2017, Waller was suspended one year without pay for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He was reinstated in 2018 after completing a rehabilitation program. That November, he signed with the Raiders.

In September 2022, he signed a three-year $51 million contract with Las Vegas to become the highest-paid tight end. He was traded to the Giants only a few months later.

MORE: Fantasy Injury Updates Week 6: Latest news on Darren Waller

Season Team GP Yds TDs
2015 Baltimore 6 18 0
2016 Baltimore 12 85 2
2018 Oakland 4 75 0
2019 Oakland 16 1,145 3
2020 Las Vegas 16 1,196 9
2021 Las Vegas 11 665 2
2022 Las Vegas 9 388 3
2023 New York (Giants) 5 239 0

Kelsey Plum stats

Plum was the No. 1 draft pick in 2017, going to the San Antonio Stars, who would soon move to Las Vegas and become the Aces. She spent her college career at the University of Washington where she became the all-time leading scorer in women's college basketball with 3,527 points.

She missed the 2020 season due to an Achilles tear but bounced back to become an All-Star in 2022 and 2023.

Season Team GP Pts (average) FG%
2017 San Antonio 31 8.5 34.6
2018 Las Vegas 31 9.5 46.7
2019 Las Vegas 34 8.6 36.5
2021 Las Vegas 26 14.8 43.7
2022 Las Vegas 36 20.2 46.0
2023 Las Vegas 39 18.7 47.5

Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.