Dallas Wings number one overall pick Azzi Fudd questioned the WNBA’s physicality after wrapping up her first preseason as a professional. Fudd bluntly told reporters that the officiating was much tighter than she was originally led to believe.
“Honestly, I feel more confused. I thought you could be physical in the W, and anytime you touch someone, it’s a foul,” Fudd said in her post-game presser after Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.
“So I’m not really sure whether to be physical…I’m still figuring that out.”
Criticism of officiating typically warrants a punishment in the form of a fine from the league officials, but the WNBA has reportedly decided that Fudd’s comments weren’t strong enough to draw a fine.
“Azzi Fudd will not be fined for her comments about officiating,” Colin Salao reported on Monday.
Salao also reported that Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White is hoping for a somewhat different whistle to start the 2026 season than there has been in recent seasons, following a series of offseason meetings on how officiating could improve.
“I hope that we’re going to see a lot of whistles early and that that’s going to continue because players will adjust,” White said. “We just need it to be consistent.”
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.