Azzi Fudd Dallas Wings Introductory Press Conference - 4/16/26 | The Boneyard

Azzi Fudd Dallas Wings Introductory Press Conference - 4/16/26

A shout out to the Wings' rep leading the session for intervening when a reporter asked a very (IMO) inappropriate question of Azzi, and brava to Azzi for being so articulate, gracious and poised (i especially loved her last statement which thanked her teammates, among others, for showing up for this press conference).
 
I'm glad they chose not to answer the question about Azzi's and Paiges' romantic relationship, but I'm also glad the question was asked. Too many times, reporters seem to avoid hard questions, even at UConn press conferences.

Of course they have a right to privacy in their relationship status, but it's a fair question IMHO. Both Azzi and Paige were #1 picks, the public faces of their team, and in fact, public faces for all the WNBA. The fact that they are (or were) in a relationship was acknowledged by them both publicly in the past. It's not like this is something created solely by the rumor mill.

As for the rest of the presser, Azzi is so well spoken and articulate and eloquent. Even if she wasn't such an elite player, she'd still be a fan favorite.
 
EricSD said:
I'm glad they chose not to answer the question about Azzi's and Paiges' romantic relationship, but I'm also glad the question was asked. Too many times, reporters seem to avoid hard questions, even at UConn press conferences.

Of course they have a right to privacy in their relationship status, but it's a fair question IMHO. Both Azzi and Paige were #1 picks, the public faces of their team, and in fact, public faces for all the WNBA. The fact that they are (or were) in a relationship was acknowledged by them both publicly in the past. It's not like this is something created solely by the rumor mill.
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What’s the point of asking? What else of a personal nature can they ask? Is it a legal issue? Basketball related? And as you pointed out…they already made a comment about it. Sorry, but I already listen to most games with the sound off because the commentators are talking about stuff that has nothing to do with the game.
 
LwrcasefaN said:
What’s the point of asking? What else of a personal nature can they ask? Is it a legal issue? Basketball related? And as you pointed out…they already made a comment about it. Sorry, but I already listen to most games with the sound off because the commentators are talking about stuff that has nothing to do with the game.
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If Cooper Flagg had publicly been in a relationship with another Dallas player prior to the NBA draft, I'm sure it would have been asked in the presser. Azzi and Paige were out publicly, and asking how that might affect their playing together isn't unfair. These are professional adult athletes, not junior high school girls who need protection. And again, they didn't want to answer so they chose not to. Respect that 100%.

The subject is newsworthy, could affect the team, and was asked and answered. Women's sports fans constantly complain that they aren't treated the same as men, don't make as much, don't have as many opportunities, etc., yet somehow get uncomfortable when they actually ARE treated as male athletes would be.
 
EricSD said:
If Cooper Flagg had publicly been in a relationship with another Dallas player prior to the NBA draft, I'm sure it would have been asked in the presser. Azzi and Paige were out publicly, and asking how that might affect their playing together isn't unfair. These are professional adult athletes, not junior high school girls who need protection. And again, they didn't want to answer so they chose not to. Respect that 100%.

The subject is newsworthy, could affect the team, and was asked and answered. Women's sports fans constantly complain that they aren't treated the same as men, don't make as much, don't have as many opportunities, etc., yet somehow get uncomfortable when they actually ARE treated as male athletes would be.
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It shouldn’t be asked period for the reasons I stated. It could impact basketball, but it hasn’t. She just got there. A player could be in a toxic relationship with anyone and it might impact basketball. They won a national title playing together.
 
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LwrcasefaN said:
It shouldn’t be asked period for the reasons I stated. It could impact basketball, but it hasn’t. She just got there. A player could be in a toxic relationship with anyone and it might impact basketball. They won a national title playing together.
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we'll just have agree to disagree, for all the reason i stated.
 
Tough place to play. As mentioned previously, after 10 years living in Dallas, Texas in general is very far down the list of where womens sports related advertising and ticket monies are spent. Paige is one of the most interesting sports personalities out there and her joining the Wings only made a minor dent. Suspect that the press will use every tactic possible to develop stories, click bait or not.
 
I don't have an issue with the question being asked. I do, however, have an issue with the Wings' REP intervening. Azzi is the one who should have been given the opportunity to respond or decline. She's an adult, and should be accorded adult treatment.
 
Viet Vet said:
I don't have an issue with the question being asked. I do, however, have an issue with the Wings' REP intervening. Azzi is the one who should have been given the opportunity to respond or decline. She's an adult, and should be accorded adult treatment.
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Azzi is in an employee capacity at a corporate event representing Wings and not Azzi’s personal life. Although it seemed that the question was about impact of two adults in or not relationship and the potential impact on the play (I.e. work). It was intrusive nonetheless and as with any corporation, there is PR and spokesperson controlling conversation. I. This case, Azzi is a professional and her personal life is not a forefront of her joining the team. I do not blame the person interviewing. That’s that person’s role.
 
Here's an interesting article about the question, the journalist, the pitfalls, and the imbalance of WNBA experts vs others.

dallashoopsjournal.com

Azzi Fudd Deserved Better Journalism In Her Introductory Press Conference

Kevin Sherrington’s Dallas Morning News column on Azzi Fudd’s introduction ignored substantive press conference content to focus on her relationship status.
dallashoopsjournal.com dallashoopsjournal.com
 
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