FEEDBACK: Your Thoughts On The Media vs. Kids At The Podium

Tuesday night after the Golden State Warriors beat up on the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Steph Curry brought his two-year-old daughter Riley to the podium with him.

The seemingly innocuous act rubbed some members of the media the wrong way, and now they’re calling for the NBA to ban children on the podium during PostGame conferences. Two of the strongest critiques came from ESPN writer Brian Windhorst and Skip Bayless. They claim it’s a distraction; sometimes used as a deflection to answering difficult questions.

While the NBA has said they have no plans of instituting a rule for this, I asked the question on FaceBook and Instagram; Does it bother you if athletes bring their children to the podium?

For me, I understand that some media might feel its a distraction, but I think that they’re forgetting why they’re at the game and talking to the athletes to begin with; to document the game/series. It’s not about the journalist deadline, or the quote, it’s about giving the fan another POV. Nothing that is said in those pressers is ever life changing. It’s rarely more important than the 48 minutes of action that takes place on the court.

Considering the NBA uses family as a key marketing point – great dads and father’s day, the “lean in” campaign, etc. – it would seem off to have a problem with pro athletes showing true displays of fatherhood. Especially when the perception is that a lot of pro athletes aren’t involved.

Check out some of the response:

– “Those media people need love and light in their lives. Let the kids shine”

– m_n_old: Whomever voiced a complaint about these children adding an entertainment value to the postgame pressers takes themselves entirely too seriously. More kids, less 60 year old, bitter sports “journalists”.

– nigerianalchemy: Nah I never seen any player do it during a loss when most difficult questions occur. It’s not during every media session. Smh media needs to lighten up

– datdudeeasy: Chile please!!!! I cover after game presses conferences all the time. You can talk to players, before the game, in the locker room afterwards AND a presser.. How are they stopping you from doing your job? .. These reporters need to get over themselves and just report on the damn story. The kid ain’t bothering y’all

– bellaeyes: I’m going to be the odd man out here. I don’t think they should have their children at the press conferences. While all of the children I’ve seen have been adorable and funny, I don’t believe it’s the place to have children. There are athletes who dress in suits for game day because they view game day as business. These press conferences are the end of their “work day”. I know I as a businesswoman would not bring my child into my place of business outside of “Bring Your Child To Work” Day. Just my humble opinion.