A hot mic incident during the Sacramento Kings’ media day on Monday captured unfiltered comments from reporters about players Ben Simmons and Zach LaVine, sparking widespread discussion online.
The incident occurred as local outlets livestreamed media availability sessions. While the livestream was intended to cover interviews with players, it inadvertently aired a separate conversation among reporters. The audio included remarks about Simmons and LaVine that ranged from personal observations to critiques of their personalities.
Two main developments emerged from the incident:
Comments about Ben Simmons were recorded, with one reporter describing him as “cringe” and another calling him “hella fine.” Additional remarks included observations about his appearance, such as his smooth skin and lack of tattoos.
Comments about Zach LaVine were also captured, with one reporter calling him “hella fine” but adding that his personality “annoys the [expletive] out of me.” The reporter further characterized LaVine as “a prick.”
The livestream, provided by NBC’s KCRA, did not immediately cut or mute the audio between player interviews and the reporters’ conversation. The incident follows a pattern of hot mic moments in sports media that have led to public scrutiny and discussions about professionalism in broadcasting.
Background on the players involved:
- Ben Simmons signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Kings after missing the 2023-24 season due to injuries. He has faced criticism in the past for his public comments and on-court performance.
- Zach LaVine is entering his third season with the Kings, having led the team in scoring last season with 19.2 points per game before a hand injury ended his campaign in February. He appeared in only 39 games due to the injury.
The Kings have not publicly addressed the incident as of publication. The team’s media relations department did not respond to requests for comment.
Context on hot mic incidents in sports media:
Hot mics have previously led to significant professional consequences in sports broadcasting. Notable examples include:
- Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman, who was suspended in 2020 after an anti-gay slur was captured on a hot mic.
- Charles Barkley, who used an expletive during an Inside the NBA broadcast in 2025.
- San Francisco Giants executive Buster Posey, who was the subject of on-air trash talk by a radio station employee captured on a hot mic.
The Sacramento Kings’ media day incident adds to this list, highlighting the risks of unmonitored audio during live broadcasts.