Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Asked About Joe Burrow Dating Rumors

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Olivia Ponton has been connected to Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow dating back to last year.

Despite the evidence indicating the 22-year-old model and 28-year-old former No. 1 overall pick being together, neither has publicly confirmed the relationship. Reporters on the scene at a party following Monday night's Met Gala tried to pry something out of Ponton, but she wouldn't bite.

Both Ponton and Burrow attended the annual event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though it is unclear if they went together. According to TMZ Sports, when Ponton was asked about the nature of her relationship with Burrow, she demurred.

"She was initially jovial and warm with the pap in the New York City street -- but as soon as the Burrow topic was broached, she shut down," TMZ wrote. "She put her hand over her face and sheepishly walked to her waiting car -- declining to answer any further inquiries."

Burrow and Ponton were spotted together in Miami for last weekend's Formula 1 event, though they did not show any outward signs of affection. 

The dating rumors for these two exploded during the 2024 NFL season, when Ponton called police to report Burrow's house had been burglarized. 

The Florida native, who got her start on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic, told authorities she was staying at the home on Dec. 9 while Burrow was in Dallas playing on Monday Night Football. She identified herself as one of Burrow's employees.

Later that month, PEOPLE reported that Ponton and Burrow had been "hooking up" since early fall but were "keeping it casual."

Ponton, who has appeared in the SI Swimsuit Issue multiple times, came out as bisexual in 2021 and referred to herself as pansexual the following year.

Burrow, meanwhile, who is heading into his sixth professional season, was in a long-term relationship with his ex-girlfriend Olivia Holzmacher before they split up sometime last year.