U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticizes WNBA media coverage following questions about Azzi Fudd’s relationship with teammate Paige Bueckers. Fudd, selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Dallas Wings this month, joins her girlfriend Bueckers, a top pick from last year. The team’s media staff blocked reporters’ inquiries about their off-court romance after the draft.
Rapinoe’s Podcast Critique
Rapinoe voiced her concerns on the latest episode of her podcast A Touch More, now hosted solo after her recent separation from Sue Bird. She describes WNBA media members as ‘inherently sexist, racist [and] misogynistic’ and calls for 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 Media Hiring
Rapinoe proposes incorporating Black and queer culture into media hiring processes to protect the league’s future. ‘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 stems from its roots in Black and queer culture, equality for women, and progress in those areas. ‘So how do we contribute to an ecosystem that can sustain player authenticity?’ Rapinoe questions.
The 14-year professional advocates for specialized PR teams that imagine media platforms suited to players. She urges a new generation of reporters to develop ‘talking points that protect’ female basketball players while allowing them to be ‘out and proud’ without feeling unsafe.
Personal Context: Split from Sue Bird
Rapinoe’s comments follow her announcement of a split from former WNBA star Sue Bird after nearly 10 years together. The couple met backstage at a 2016 Rio Olympics photoshoot. Both gold medalists in their sports, they got engaged in October 2020 but did not marry.
Their joint statement reads: ‘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.’
