Former U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe believes the WNBA needs to take a hard look in the mirror before the start of the 2026 season.
After the Dallas Wings selected UConn star Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, she was asked about her relationship with Paige Bueckers during her introductory press conference. Bueckers confirmed her romance with Fuzz during the WNBA All-Star Weekend last July.
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“Paige announced last year on TikTok that y’all were a couple,” Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News said. “I’m wondering if that’s still the case, and if so, have you talked to other couples in the league about how they negotiate that dynamic?”
That question from Sherrington was immediately shut down by a public relations worker for the Wings.
“I understand why you have to ask that question,” a Wings PR staff member replied. “We’re going to respectfully decline from commenting on our players’ personal lives.”
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Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images© Brad Penner-Imagn Images.
Rapinoe sounds off on the Azzi Fudd situation.
During the latest episode of her “A Touch More” podcast, Rapinoe said WNBA media members need more nuance when asking certain questions.
“I do think we are watching legacy or establishment media come in and sort of like do business as usual and it just feels like it needs more understanding and nuance,” Rapinoe said. “Like it’s not quite hitting. I think anybody who’s been in the sport a long time just sort of has that feeling of like that’s like, I, I get why you’re doing that. You do that (with) men’s sports, but like it’s not really quite hitting here.”
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How does the WNBA solve its apparent media problem? Rapinoe suggested the traditional media should be replaced.
“How do we collectively protect and craft the future of this space as the people who care about what the WNBA has built and enjoy the culture that it brings? Because let’s be honest, the reason why the WNBA is out front in culture is because of how rooted it is in Black and queer culture and around equality for women and progress in all of those realms,” she continued, via OutKick.
With the WNBA season set to begin in two weeks, it’ll be interesting to see if any massive changes are made to pregame and postgame press conferences.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
