That was a great post by Excelsior, and I apologize for responding in something so brief. However, I just wanted to point out that I don't think relationship status has ANY effect on athletes. As someone who really follows sports (e.g. Kirk Goldsberry and Zach Lowe are some of my favorite writers) I do not know the relationship status of a majority of athletes. I think the ranking of "people who know the most about athletes" goes:
1. Pop Culture/Celebrity Bloggers
2. Big Time Sports Fans of Specific Times
3. General Audience
Hence, I don't think (on average) fans really know that Kevin Durant was engaged for a minute last year, or that Earl Thomas has a girlfriend and a child, or that Patrick Willis has a girlfriend (all information found in the last 10 minutes doing some research). I think the guys that market sports understand this, and especially nowadays most guys are VERY careful with who they are hooking up with. Musicians and whatnot have the freedom to be seen around with sluts, instgram hoes and getting rejected by up and coming pornstarlets (see: Mia Khalifa and Drake). Athletes don't have that, and they're careful about it, and surprisingly, most mainstream reporters seem to have a level of respect for that.