The Wings introduced G Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, to the local media on Thursday, but a team rep “interjected before Fudd could answer” a question about her relationship with Wings G Paige Bueckers, according to Declan Walsh of the NEW HAVEN REGISTER. Bueckers, the top draft pick in 2025, “publicly confirmed” last year that she and Fudd were dating, but the Wings by the actions “seem intent on keeping the relationship out of the spotlight.” The Wings’ PR rep said, “I understand why you have to ask that question, but we’re going to respectfully decline from commenting on our players’ personal lives.” Walsh noted the question and the handling of it “quickly drew conversation on social media about whether it should have been asked, whether it was handled properly and whether their relationship mixed with being teammates was notable” (NEW HAVEN REGISTER, 4/16).
NATURAL QUESTION TO ASK: In Fort Worth, Mac Engel wrote Fudd should be able to answer the question regarding the relationship, as it was the “only part of the press conference that went viral, or the vast majority of the audience is interested in.” Engel: “The team is annoyed that this is a story; because, ‘Would you ask that of a man?’ Yes. Yes, they would. I would. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t. Because it’s a story.” There are natural questions as to whether Bueckers helped “influence the Wings’ decision to select her girlfriend” and if the Wings would “accommodate that request to keep their new star player happy?” Those scenarios “are plausible because college and pro sports are loaded with examples of teams gelding themselves to keep a star player happy.” The “story is not going away, because the potential for great drama could be a title, or a disaster” (FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/16).
WORK-LIFE BALANCE? In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington, who asked the initial question at the press conference, wrote this could be the first time a player taken with the first pick of the draft “could be in a relationship with a player already on the team.” Sherrington: “Maybe Bueckers and Fudd -- if they’re still an item -- are mature beyond their years. Maybe they can put aside any grievances for the good of the team. Maybe they’ll never have a bad day. But that is not the way to bet.” The Wings refusing to “acknowledge whether players are still in a relationship after one of them went public about it a year ago suggests they’ve done something wrong, feeding an ugly narrative.” The club, which “invited the obvious question by drafting Fudd when they had other options, then acted as if they were covering for something that didn’t need hiding” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/16).
A REAL PAIGE TURNER: In Dallas, Mike Piellucci wrote Fudd and Bueckers dating “makes this an actual story, even though it’s not uncommon for WNBA players on the same team to date.” The Wings’ future -- “first as a business enterprise, then as a competitive basketball team -- is inextricably linked to Bueckers,” who is “already one of the league’s best and most marketable players.” It is “in the organization’s interest to keep Bueckers happy,” and a “very good way to keep Bueckers happy is to draft her partner.” Piellucci wrote drafting Fudd with the top overall pick “was a business decision as much as a hoops one,” and to “ignore that greater considerations than basketball were in play -- is doing a disservice to your audience” (D MAGAZINE, 4/14).
