Controversy was kicked up after a moment among Sacramento Kings reporters was picked up on a hot mic during the team’s media day on Monday, causing a perplexing domino effect of backlash across social media. At least three media members could be heard during a now deleted KCRA News 3 livestream talking somewhat candidly about players Ben Simmons and Zach LaVine and referring to one as “cringe.” “That’s what comes with being Ben Simmons,” one reporter is heard saying during the presser. Two more reporters can be heard jumping into the conversation.
The three then go on to single out LaVine’s looks, and personality, as well. He just seems like hella like a prick. But he is beautiful.” The reporters have yet to be publicly identified, but that hasn’t stopped Kings social media from doing some investigating of their own and calling out the two female voices in the now viral footage.
Some even went as far as to tag them in a reposted video of the stream on X, turning the moment into a sexist debate. Problematic hot mic moments seem to be a common human error for those in a public field like sports -- or politics. After the Toronto Raptors’ 2025 season, audio circulated of reporters bashing players Scottie Barnes and Jonathan Mogbo during a media presser.
Fans called out reporters they assumed were the voices in the clip, leading to harassing backlash of famous media members, including Sports Illustrated reporter Aaron Rose, who demanded the harassment stop. Stop attacking me, it simply isn’t true,” he said in a TikTok video.
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