The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich)

Episode: C&R - New Power Couple in Basketball?
Date: April 14, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick (with Steve Covino, Rich Davis, Dan Byer, Danny G, Sam)

Episode Overview

This episode, co-hosted by Covino & Rich, delivers their signature lively sports-radio banter with a focus on a headline-grabbing WNBA draft drama: the potential formation of a new "power couple" in women's basketball, involving Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. The show explores whether drafting both women—who are dating each other—to the Dallas Wings could help or hinder the team. They connect this with broader themes of workplace relationships, sports gossip, and team dynamics, delivering a blend of speculation, humor, and hot takes. The hosts also discuss recent highlights in boxing, the Masters, and MLB, but the heart of the show is the juicy WNBA storyline.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[00:25–05:23] Winning the Week: Sports as a Life Analogy

• Viral TikTok Analogy: Both hosts recount a TikTok video comparing life to a seven-game sports series: the goal is to "win" four days each week for a personal victory.
  • "You just gotta have four good days a week and you won the week." — Rich Davis [03:57]
  • Steve asks: How do you define a "win"? Suggestions: a day without family chaos, a sports-team victory, or even just no bad surprises.
• Philosophical Takeaway: Accept that not every day is a win; focus on the majority.

[06:31–08:58] Weekend Sports Highlights

• Masters Golf: Shout-out to Rory McIlroy and the beauty of the tournament.
• Boxing: Tyson Fury’s entertaining win over Makhmudov and anticipation for a potential Anthony Joshua mega-fight.
  • "Guy had no head movement at all. He was a beast. Right, easy to hit for a guy like Tyson Fury." — Steve Covino [07:37]
• UFC: Brief mention of UFC 327 excitement.

[09:00–11:56] MAIN TOPIC INTRO: WNBA Draft Drama

• Setting the Table: Tonight is the WNBA draft, with the Dallas Wings holding the top pick. Rumor: They're expected to pick Azzi Fudd, who dated Paige Bueckers when they played together at UConn. Bueckers is now a Wings superstar.
  • This means two star players, currently a romantic couple, would be teammates—prompting locker room, management, and HR-related questions.
  • "So it becomes a sticky situation of, is that reason to pick Azzi Fudd, or reason to not pick Azzi Fudd because of the whole Paige Bueckers thing?" — Steve Covino [10:29]
• Analogy: “It’s like going into business with your significant other.”

[12:00–15:36] SPORTS + ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: Pros, Cons, Precedent

• Comparison to MLB Past: Covino references Cody Bellinger's wife (Chase Carter) having previously dated teammate Giancarlo Stanton—the Yankees handled it professionally without drama.
  • "They're professionals, they're grown-ups... more drama between Lindor and Soto than... Bellinger and Stanton." — Steve Covino [12:10]
• WNBA Precedents: Danny G names other WNBA couples who shared teams: Alyssa Thomas & DeWanna Bonner, Diana Taurasi & Penny Taylor, etc.
• Unique Challenge: This time, both players are not only romantically involved but also superstars drafted back-to-back—raising stakes and media/fan interest.

[15:36–22:44] Team Dynamics & HR Implications

• Potential Problems:
  • If the couple breaks up, the team could fracture, with subgroups forming.
  • Expected social media “unfollows” and friends forced to choose sides.
  • Possible favoritism if Paige, a leader, is seen supporting her partner.
  • Media/fans could blame a poor game on “relationship drama”.
• Is It Out-of-Bounds for Management to Investigate?
  • Rich asks if it's appropriate for teams to question the status/nature of the players’ relationship for HR risk assessment.
  • "Is it out of bounds for them to ask these women what the nature of their relationship is?" — Rich Davis [16:14]
  • Consensus: Professional sports often ignore typical HR boundaries, but due diligence is smart.
• Unique to WNBA: Covino observes, “There’s an added dimension of, of drama that happens in the WNBA that we don’t see in other sports.” [14:16]
• Fan Reactions: Sam suggests the WNBA should “lean in” to the drama as it makes the league more compelling and gossipy.

[22:44–24:34] Broader Reflections: Workplace/Work-Relationship Analogies

• Examples from Radio/TV: The hosts discuss other long-term work couples in media (e.g., Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos).
• Lesson: Sometimes closeness is helpful, but often, separation between partners at work is best (e.g., Dan Byer’s own marriage story).

[24:34–26:08] Should the WNBA Embrace ‘Soap Opera’ Drama?

• Covino’s Take: Sports fans thrive on controversy, beefs, and ‘gossip’—this could bring eyeballs to the league.
  • "We love gossip whether we want to admit it or not in sports. So I think the WNBA should lean into this because it’s just another fun storyline." — Rich Davis [24:35]
• Speculation: If the couple underperforms, critics will blame the relationship; if they thrive, it’s a great “power couple” narrative.

[26:08–30:49] Listener Calls & HR Expert Input

• HR Perspective: Tyler, an HR executive, calls in—and says workplace relationships are common, but direct reporting relationships present real problems. Transparency and separation in the organizational hierarchy are necessary. [33:13]
• Host Humor: “How awkward is that, when you have to sit down with HR and be like, ‘Hey Cindy, just want to let you know we’re sleeping together.’” — Rich Davis [34:46]
• Other Callers: Fred (West Virginia) jokes about the hosts’ language (“sticky” and “juicy”), poking fun at the sexual innuendo.

[30:49–31:48] Fan & Media Attention

• Potential for Reality TV: Sam recalls a previous suggestion for a WNBA “Hard Knocks”-style reality show built around player relationships, locker room dynamics, etc.
  • "Real World meets Hard Knocks. But for the wnba..." — Sam [31:35]
• Drama’s Draw: Both agree this off-the-court intrigue is keeping the WNBA in the spotlight even while the NBA Play-in Tournament is happening.

[31:48–32:56] Emotional Play and On-Court Ramifications

• On-Court “Next Level” Relationship: Rich wonders if emotional reactions to teammates targeting one’s partner will spill into games—could make for even juicier narratives if, say, Fudd gets angry defending Bueckers.
  • "If you have that next level relationship with someone, you’re going to take those things personally. This could get good. This could get juicy. I think it’s a great storyline." — Rich Davis [32:36]

[32:56–39:56] Around the Horn: More Listener Calls, Final Thoughts, and Sports News

• Calls: Listeners generally agree the situation is new, intriguing, and potentially risky for team chemistry.
• Dan Byer’s Update [37:43]: Discusses hypotheticals—if you can’t escape your romantic partner at work, it could be tough mentally (“Where are you going to get away to? You can’t go to work because that’s where she is.”).
• NBA Jersey Sales: Steph Curry still #1 in popularity.
• MLB Notes: Yankees struggling; commentary on MLB parity; teaser for upcoming Mets-Dodgers high-payroll clash where Rich will attend (with quirks about Hello Kitty night at the ballpark).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [03:57] “You just gotta have four good days a week and you won the week.” — Rich Davis (on reframing life as a sports series)
• [10:29] “So it becomes a sticky situation of, is that reason to pick Azzi Fudd, or reason to not pick Azzi Fudd because of the whole Paige Bueckers thing?” — Steve Covino
• [12:10] “They're professionals, they're grown-ups... more drama between Lindor and Soto than... Bellinger and Stanton." — Steve Covino (on MLB comparison)
• [16:14] “Is it out of bounds for them to ask these women what the nature of their relationship is?” — Rich Davis (on HR and the draft)
• [24:35] “We love gossip whether we want to admit it or not in sports. So I think the WNBA should lean into this because it’s just another fun storyline.” — Rich Davis

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:40–05:17] — Sports/life “seven game series” analogy
• [09:00–11:56] — Introduction of WNBA Draft/Power Couple drama
• [15:36–22:44] — Full exploration: team chemistry, HR angles, locker room fallout
• [24:34–26:08] — Should the WNBA market the drama?
• [33:13–34:18] — HR expert call-in: real-life policies
• [31:48–32:56] — Emotional/mental on-court impacts and fan engagement ideas

Conclusion

This episode is a lively, insightful, and uniquely modern sports-radio take on the intersection of personal relationships and professional sports, using the rumored “WNBA power couple” as a springboard:

• It deftly balances speculation with real-world analogies and listener input.
• The show highlights the increasingly public and complex social dynamics facing professional athletes, especially in leagues like the WNBA where romantic relationships may be both more common and more visible.
• The hosts argue that, while risky for teams, these stories can drive both engagement and league growth—“gossip” is good for business.
• The Covino & Rich crew keep the tone fun, irreverent, and open-minded, inviting thoughtful debate.

Best for: Listeners interested in the cultural side of sports, team dynamics, and the evolution of modern leagues—plus anyone who loves a little off-the-court drama with their play-by-play.