Just a week after a break-in at Joe Burrow’s home thrust model Olivia Ponton into the spotlight, a new report offers a clearer picture of the pair’s relationship. While speculation had been swirling about Ponton’s connection to the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, sources now say the two have been romantically involved—albeit in a casual way—since early fall.
The story began in dramatic fashion. On a Sunday when the Bengals were battling the Dallas Cowboys, Burrow’s home was burglarized.
Ponton, a 27-year-old Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, was staying at the star passer’s residence at the time. She made the 911 call reporting the crime, which led to the release of her distressed audio. “Someone broke into my house. It’s like completely messed up,” she told the dispatcher—though, in fact, she was at Burrow’s house, not her own.
In the official police report, Ponton was listed as being “employed by Mr. Burrow,” prompting a wave of fan theories about their connection.
RELATED: Joe Burrow Was Spotted With Model Olivia Ponton While in Paris For Fashion Week
Initially, fans guessed Ponton could be Burrow’s new girlfriend, replacing his long-rumored former partner Olivia Holzmacher. Holzmacher and Burrow reportedly dated for several years but appear to have parted ways. This time, though, PEOPLE Magazine shed some light on the situation. On Tuesday night, an insider told PEOPLE, “They have been hooking up since the early fall and are keeping it casual.” The comment suggests that while there may be a romantic element, the two have not defined their relationship, and it’s no guarantee that things will turn serious.
Neither Burrow, 27, nor Ponton has publicly addressed the nature of their involvement. Given the quarterback’s recent frustration over privacy breaches, it’s understandable why both would choose to stay silent.
Burrow publicly lamented the lack of privacy that comes with fame after the break-in, saying, “I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one… One of my least favorite parts [of this life] is the lack of privacy, and that has been difficult for me to deal with my entire career.”
Although Burrow didn’t specify what aspects of his life felt intruded upon, the timing of his comments made many wonder if the speculation about his personal relationships played a role. Until now, most fans assumed Burrow was still linked to Holzmacher, who supported him throughout his rise to NFL stardom. But with news of him “hooking up” with Ponton, it’s evident he’s forging a different personal path.
As for Ponton, she’s remained quiet since the incident. She hasn’t clarified her role in the burglary report or commented on the burgeoning rumors of a relationship with one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. Perhaps she’s waiting for a less tumultuous time to speak out—after the NFL season winds down and the media frenzy abates.
For now, fans will have to settle for what’s been revealed: Burrow and Ponton’s dynamic appears friendly, intimate, but not serious enough to be considered an exclusive relationship.
With both individuals navigating high-profile careers—Burrow leading the Bengals and Ponton maintaining her modeling and social media fame—it’s no surprise they’re not rushing to define their status.
Time will tell if their casual involvement evolves into something more, or if, like so many athlete-celebrity romances, it fades quietly once the spotlight dims.
Until then, Bengals fans and curious onlookers will keep a watchful eye, and Burrow will continue to handle his professional responsibilities on the field while carefully guarding what remains of his private life.
