Top 10 Craziest Things To Happen at Press Conferences

Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals ended in a crushing loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although LeBron James delivered an impressive 51-point performance, the Cavs lost in overtime, thanks to J.R. Smith’s decision to dribble out the clock instead of going for the basket. At the post-game press conference, James was grilled by an ESPN reporter about what exactly Smith could have been thinking. Even after making it abundantly clear that he had no clue, the reporter still didn’t let up. Finally, a frustrated James calmly stood up, grabbed his bag and cut the conference short, making sure to tell the reporter to “do better tomorrow” on his way out.

Not many of us can resist the urge to squash a bug, not even NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki. After a strong start in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Nowitzki sat for a press conference to talk about how he was feeling. However, his attention was diverted by a bug crawling across the table where he sat. Without missing a beat, Nowitzki flattened the bug with his fist and flicked it away, seemingly only realizing his surroundings afterwards. Nevertheless, the reporters found the unexpected distraction hilarious and had a good laugh, before moving on to game questions. But honestly, we’re still dying to know how the bug was feeling after that crushing blow.

As a football player, it’s important to stick to a consistent message when dealing with the press. So you really can’t blame former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch for delivering the exact same line 29 times during a press conference. Lynch had been fined by the NFL for dodging media duties in the past, so at the Super Bowl Media Day in 2015, he decided to give the absolute bare minimum. He stayed with reporters just long enough to meet the requirement and responded to all 29 questions he was asked with the same answer. At least, he managed to add some flair by varying his inflection each time. If only we knew why exactly he was there.

Former Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim is well-known for his aggressive attitude towards reporters. But during a 2008 post-game discussion about his team’s win over Long Beach State, it wasn’t a journalist that drew his ire, it was a microphone. After its shrill feedback interrupted him one too many times, Boeheim asked for it to be turned off. When that didn’t happen, he took matters into his own hands, literally, by smacking the device down. He may not be fond of feedback from the media, but this microphone’s feedback clearly pushed him over the edge. Apparently, no one, not even inanimate objects, are safe from Jim Boeheim’s wrath.

In 2010, Metta Sandiford-Artest, then known as Ron Artest, played a key role in securing a victory for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Despite being with the team for only a year, Artest shone in Game 7 against the Boston Celtics, earning his first championship ring and the title of most valuable player. His excitement about all of this was on full display at the post-game press conference. Artest waltzed in on a high, snatching up a Wheaties box and launching into hilarious tangents, often forgetting the questions completely. He then thanked his doctor, Kobe Bryant and even introduced his entire family to the press. The man was simply thrilled to be there and overflowing with gratitude for his win.

After lighting up the court with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2000–01 season, Allen Iverson kicked off the next season with sky-high expectations. However, his performance fell short, which only gave coach Larry Brown more fuel to criticize him for missing team practice. When he was questioned about this during a press conference, Iverson launched into what is now one of the most unforgettable rants in sports history. Clearly baffled that his commitment to practice was being questioned rather than, you know, his actual gameplay, Iverson uttered the word “practice” a staggering 22 times. The moment has become so legendary, it’s still being quoted to this day and was even spoofed in an episode of “Ted Lasso.”

Being fiery on the court can give you that competitive edge, but when you lose, where does all that fire go? For University of Michigan women’s basketball coach Kevin Borseth, it ignited in a press room after a devastating loss back in 2008. Borseth stormed in, flung his clipboard at the podium and yanked off his glasses in a fit of rage, launching into a rant before he could even be questioned. His frustration was understandable. The Michigan team had squandered a double-digit lead against the University of Wisconsin, missed a series of offensive rebounds, and ultimately lost. After about a minute of yelling, Borseth finally cooled down, apologized and walked off. Well, at least he said sorry.

Once the golden boy of golf, Tiger Woods saw his pristine image take a nosedive when news of his extramarital affairs broke. Granted, he lost a few sponsorships as a result and had a reputation to mend, but it was still pretty wild that Woods felt the need to host a press conference to apologize for something so personal. The event started off normally enough – Woods owned up to his “selfish” and “irresponsible” actions, and seemed genuinely contrite. But then, after the speech, he hugged his mum. Then another person. And another. Until it felt more like a celebration than an apology. So while he kicked things off strong, the ending was… well, a bit of a head-scratcher.

In December 2008, with just a month left in office, George W. Bush traveled to Baghdad for a joint press conference with the Iraqi prime minister. As the meeting wrapped up, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi suddenly took off his shoes and threw both of them at Bush in quick succession. This bold move was al-Zaidi’s way of protesting Bush’s decision to invade Iraq and the chaos that followed. Fortunately for Bush, his reflexes were quick and he managed to dodge getting hit by both shoes. Al-Zaidi, however, wasn’t as lucky. He was pounced upon by security agents and dragged out of the room. He ended up serving nine months of a three-year sentence for assaulting a foreign head of state.

The 2002 showdown between Lennox “The Lion” Lewis and former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was one of the year’s most anticipated fights. But a few months prior, a press conference at the Hudson Theatre in New York already gave everyone a preview of what was to come. As Lewis took the stage, Tyson charged towards him only to be intercepted by his bodyguard. This quickly sparked a full-on brawl between both camps, with punches and kicks being thrown from either side. In the end, Tyson, who barked the loudest at the press conference, failed to bite when it mattered, as he ultimately lost the actual match to Lewis.


Did you catch any of these unpredictable press conferences live? Let us know in the comments below.