Dave Portnoy wades in on bizarre Azzi Fudd and

Dave Portnoy insisted it was “fair game” to ask about Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers’ relationship after the Dallas Wings shut down a reporter.

Earlier this week, Fudd grew to become the No. 1 total choose in the 2026 WNBA Draft. At her introductory press convention, the Wings’ latest star was requested about her relationship with Bueckers, her former UConn teammate.

Bueckers and Fudd have been publicly linked since their school careers, though neither has spoken extensively about their relationship in current months. Their reunion in Dallas as backcourt teammates and potential franchise cornerstones — notably as back-to-back first total picks — has drawn added consideration.

Fudd was requested about the relationship at her press convention, however before she may reply, a Wings PR intervened. The reporter requested: “Paige announced last year on TikTok that y’all were a couple, and I’m wondering if that’s still the case, and if so, have y’all spoken to other couples in the league about how they negotiate that dynamic?”

“I understand why you have to ask that question, but we’re going to respectfully decline from commenting on our players’ personal lives,” the consultant said, stopping Fudd from answering.

Portnoy is pleased that Fudd did not reply the query, however he did declare the reporter was doing his job as a journalist by asking. He took to social media to submit: “This is a totally fair question.

“Sure it’s unusual but they are very public on social media. They are teammates. They don’t keep their relationship private. I have no problem with them not answering it but I have no problem asking it. It’s fair game. I also don’t think they care.”

Fudd and Bueckers have a longstanding relationship, first assembly as youngsters at USA Basketball camps again in 2017. Their bond grew, with Bueckers celebrating Fudd’s dedication to UConn in 2020.

As teammates, the duo helped UConn with the 2025 national championship. Their relationship developed, too, from buddies to a confirmed romantic relationship, as documented in Bueckers’s social media posts.

Recently, their relationship has appeared to go quiet and away from the public eye. The duo appeared to push their non-public lives out of the highlight as Bueckers performed her WNBA rookie season, and that seems to be set to continue as Fudd fits up alongside her former UConn teammate.