US soccer legend Megan Rapinoe has launched a scathing attack on the legacy WNBA media in the wake of Azzi Fudd being questioned about her relationship with new teammate Paige Bueckers.
Fudd was drafted No 1 overall by the Dallas Wings earlier this month, sealing her a spot on the team alongside her girlfriend Bueckers, herself a top pick last year.
The Wings’ media team have shut down reporters’ questions about their off-court romance in the days since the draft, and Rapinoe has now hit out at the media’s questioning, even demanding that reporters be replaced.
Rapinoe made her comments on the latest episode of her ‘A Touch More’ podcast, which she hosted alongside her longtime girlfriend Sue Bird until the pair’s shock split last week.
She began her solo rant by calling WNBA media members ‘inherently sexist, racist [and] misogynistic’, calling for more diversity among the 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,’ she said.
USA soccer icon Megan Rapinoe, pictured with her ex Sue Bird, has slammed WNBA reporters
Rapinoe was reacting to reporters’ questions on Azzi Fudd’s relationship with Paige Bueckers
‘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.’
Rapinoe then went on to offer a solution, claiming that black and queer culture needs to be factored into the hiring process from media companies.
‘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 said.
‘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.
‘So how do we contribute to an ecosystem that can sustain player authenticity?’
Rather than hard-hitting questions to the players, Rapinoe – a 14-year professional herself – suggests specially-hired PR teams ‘have an imagination around how to give these players media platforms that work for them.’
A question about No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd’s relationship with Paige Bueckers was shut down
Rapinoe was presenting her podcast alone just days after splitting from ex-girlfriend Bird
She claims a new wave of reporters should create ‘talking points that protect’ the female basketball players, while ‘also allowing them to be out and proud and not make them feel unsafe.’
Rapinoe’s bold stance comes just days after she announced her split from former WNBA star Sue Bird, after almost 10 years together.
The sporting power couple first met backstage at a photoshoot for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The athletes, both gold medal winners in their respective sports, got engaged in October 2020 but never tied the knot.
They confirmed that they were going their separate ways in a statement, insisting that it had not been an ‘easy decision.’
‘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,’ a statement read.
‘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.’
