Sports fans are always there for a good game, but they never really pay attention to what happened before or after the show. We’re talking about the most boring part of any game—the press conferences. Then again, there are times when something wild happens, and everyone’s either confused or laughing.
Let’s look at some of the most memorable sports press conference incidents where things went south in the most unexpected ways.
1. Kevin Borseth’s Clipboard Rage
The University of Michigan’s women’s basketball coach, Kevin Borseth, couldn’t contain his frustration after a close loss in 2008. This guy essentially threw open the door, slammed his clipboard, and delivered an intense rant about his team’s unfortunate collapse, particularly their inability to secure rebound shots. After cooling down a bit, Borseth apologized and exited the conference room, leaving the press with quite the impression.
2. Tiger Woods’ Awkward Hug-a-Thon
After the cheating scandals went public, Tiger Woods felt the need to apologize to his fans, sponsors, and his mother for some reason. While his public statement started on a serious note, things took a strange turn when Woods began hugging his mom and then several other people afterward. Intended as a formal apology, it ended up feeling oddly celebratory, leaving the audience a bit perplexed.
3. Dirk Nowitzki vs. the Bug
During a press conference in 2006, Dirk Nowitzki saw his opponent and slapped him in the face! That is, of course, if you could consider a tiny bug to be his opponent. Without hesitation, Dirk squashed the bug mid-interview, flicking it away while reporters chuckled at the interruption before resuming their questions.
4. Marshawn Lynch’s “I’m Just Here So I Won’t Get Fined”
Known for avoiding the media, Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch faced fines for his absences. At the 2015 Super Bowl Media Day, he kept it brief by responding to all 29 questions with the same phrase: “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” His repeated line became iconic, as he barely met the media’s requirements with minimal engagement.
5. Metta Sandiford-Artest’s Press Conference Was All Over The Place
In 2010, Metta Sandiford-Artest (then Ron Artest) had a lot to celebrate after helping the Lakers win the NBA Finals. During his press conference, he was visibly ecstatic, holding a Wheaties box, thanking his doctor and Kobe Bryant, and even introducing his family to the press.
6. LeBron James Has Had Enough
In the 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, LeBron’s 51-point effort wasn’t enough as the Cavs fell to the Warriors in overtime due to J.R. Smith’s infamous mistake. When an ESPN reporter kept pushing LeBron on what Smith might’ve been thinking, a frustrated LeBron finally had enough. He stood up, grabbed his bag, and walked out, telling the reporter to “do better tomorrow” before leaving.
7. Allen Iverson’s “It’s just practice” Speech
After a fantastic season, Allen Iverson’s 2002 press conference about skipping practice gained legendary status. Frustrated that people cared more about his attendance than his on-court performance, Iverson kept emphasizing the word “practice,” repeating it over twenty times. His rant became so iconic it’s still quoted and even spoofed in pop culture.
8. Tyson vs. Lewis Pre-Fight Scuffle
Before their 2002 match, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis faced off at a press conference that quickly turned hectic. Tyson charged at Lewis, igniting a full-scale brawl between both teams. Though Tyson seemed more fired up at the conference, he couldn’t deliver the same energy in the ring, ultimately losing the fight to Lewis.
