U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticizes WNBA media for questioning Azzi Fudd about her relationship with teammate Paige Bueckers. Fudd, drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings this month, joins Bueckers, a top pick from last year and her girlfriend. The Wings’ media team blocks such inquiries post-draft.
Podcast Critique Targets Media Bias
Rapinoe voices her concerns on the latest episode of her ‘A Touch More’ podcast. She describes legacy WNBA media as ‘inherently sexist, racist [and] misogynistic’ and urges greater diversity among reporters.
‘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 states. ‘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 get why you’re doing that. You do that (with) men’s sports, but like it’s not really quite hitting here.’
Calls for Cultural Sensitivity in Coverage
Rapinoe proposes prioritizing Black and queer culture in media hiring to protect the league’s authenticity. ‘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?’ she asks.
She highlights the WNBA’s cultural prominence due to its roots in Black and queer culture, equality for women, and progress. Rapinoe advocates for PR teams that create player-friendly media platforms with ‘talking points that protect’ athletes, allowing them to express themselves openly without feeling unsafe.
Timing Follows Personal Split
Rapinoe’s comments come days after her separation from former WNBA star Sue Bird after nearly 10 years together. The couple, who met at a 2016 Rio Olympics photoshoot, got engaged in 2020 but never married. Both are Olympic gold medalists in their sports.
A joint statement confirms: ‘There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news. After a lot of thought, we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple. This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s one we’ve made together, with so much love, respect, and care for each other. We’ve shared a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us.’
