Veronica Burton's dad steals spotlight in viral KPIX interview
Veronica Burton's dad, WBZ sports anchor Steve Burton, went viral on KPIX when he crashed his daughter's pregame interview before the Golden State Valkyries' win over the Connecticut Sun. The heartfelt, funny moment showed the family support behind the WNBA star's breakout season and spread widely on social media.
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton had already built momentum on a strong 2026 season when her father turned a routine courtside chat into must-watch television. The clip captured more than a joke — it offered a window into the bond that has carried Burton from career setbacks to contender status.
Key Takeaways
- Steve Burton, a longtime WBZ Boston sports anchor, took over a KPIX pregame interview with daughter Veronica Burton before the Valkyries beat Connecticut 89-64.
- The moment went viral on social media, with hundreds of reposts after Steve told Veronica to "produce tonight" and asked his own questions on camera.
- Steve drove from Boston on a day off; 35 family members and friends attended the Connecticut game to support the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player.
- Father and daughter pray before every game and talk strategy, a routine Steve credits for Veronica's leadership during Golden State's surge.
- The Burton family has deep sports roots, including grandfather Ron Burton as the Boston Patriots' first draft pick in 1960.
What happened during the viral KPIX interview?
On Wednesday before Golden State's game against the Connecticut Sun, KPIX reporter Matt Lively was interviewing Veronica Burton on the court. Steve Burton walked up mid-interview and playfully took the microphone.
"You better produce tonight, that's all I'm gonna say," Steve told his daughter. "I come all the way here to watch you just show up. We don't want any letdowns." When Lively offered him the mic, Steve conducted the rest of the interview himself — a first in his three-decade broadcasting career.
He asked whether returning to Connecticut felt strange and pressed her on playing before family. Veronica called it a "full-circle moment" and joked that the only pressure was her father "breathing down my back." The exchange drew hundreds of reposts online, according to The Press Democrat.
Who is 'Veronica's dad' and why does the nickname stick?
Steve Burton is sports director at WBZ-TV in Boston and has covered championships across New England, from Tom Brady's Patriots to Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox titles. He took a scheduled day off to drive south and watch Veronica play.
The "Veronica's dad" label is one he embraces. During Super Bowl LX coverage in February, Patriots players told him they spotted a Veronica poster in San Francisco, and a live shot outside the San Jose Convention Center used exactly that phrase. Steve later told the Bay Area News Group he wears it with pride — even when gatecrashing his daughter's spotlight.
His own father, Ron Burton, was the Boston Patriots' first-ever draft pick in 1960, a decade before the franchise became the New England Patriots. Sports runs deep in the family line.
How is Veronica Burton's breakout season shaping the Valkyries?
Veronica Burton entered the matchup as a central figure in Golden State's rise. The Valkyries defeated Connecticut 89-64, improving to 27-11 and staying unbeaten on a four-game road trip. The win followed a breakthrough victory at Minnesota, a game Steve watched excitedly from home.
Burton was cut by the Dallas Wings in 2024 before establishing herself with Golden State. Steve said they pray together by phone before every game and review strategy, mentality, and how to lift teammates — not just personal stats. "I'm seeing it on the court," he told reporters.
He has even urged her to watch Disney's "Miracle" about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, citing captain Mike Eruzione as a model of selfless leadership. With Golden State among the WNBA's top teams, the father-daughter bond is as much a storyline as the standings. For more moments where sports and broadcasting collide, follow our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.