A graphic death threat sent to WNBA reporter Grant Afseth by an Azzi Fudd fan has ended his coverage of the Dallas Wings, he revealed on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
Afseth, who covered the Wings and the wider WNBA, said the message came from a supporter of the guard after some of her fans judged his criticism too harsh, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The company he reported for then removed him from the beat.
How the Azzi Fudd fan death threat surfaced
Fudd, a guard for the Wings, carries one of the larger followings in the league, a product of a college career that drew heavy television coverage.
There is no suggestion she knew of, encouraged or endorsed the message sent in her name.
The reporter’s response to the death threat
Asked whether threats of that kind were commonplace, either against Fudd or directed at him over the course of his career, Afseth kept his answer short. He has covered a number of high-profile athletes without encountering anything comparable:
“I’ve covered plenty of star athletes and this is the only instance this has happened. So there’s your answer.”
Sara Jane Gamelli, Afseth’s managing editor, defended his conduct on the beat and the manner in which he had worked it. Her account framed him as a reporter concerned with the sport itself rather than with the personality coverage around it:
“I am Grant’s managing editor, and he’s shown the upmost professionalism. Not only that, but he is one of the few interested in covering the basketball aspect without any hidden agenda. I’ve truly never met someone more dedicated to his work/coverage + is on the road nearly 365.”
How the Wings beat and wider basketball media reacted
Melissa Triebwasser, who covers Texas Christian University and is familiar with Afseth’s work, said the reaction had gone far beyond anything the subject matter warranted.
She also criticised those who had sought to justify the message:
“This is beyond unacceptable and a truly insane response to any reporter covering a team or a player. Grant is an incredible basketball writer and unquestionably the most dedicated journalist on the Wings’ beat. It’s a sad commentary on this league and sports fandom in general that someone would not only send something like this (over SPORTS), but how many are willing to make excuses for it.”
Bobby Karalla, who covered the Wings for a rival outlet, described the episode as a loss for readers of the team and of the women’s game more broadly. He said he could not fault Afseth for stepping away:
“This entire situation has been shocking and disappointing. Grant is a very good reporter and, if this is true, this is a big loss for Wings and women’s hoops fans. Can’t blame him though. There should be absolutely no place in society for this kind of nonsense.”
Afseth has not said whether he will return to WNBA coverage, and no action by law enforcement or by the league has been made public.
His employer’s decision stands, leaving the Wings beat without the reporter who worked it most closely.
