20 of the Most Hilarious Press Conferences

Press conferences are typically a serious time for reporters to ask players and coaches questions and for athletes and coaches to break down their wins or losses.

However, on some occasions, these press conferences don’t go exactly according to plan.

For instance, on Dec. 21, Eli Manning hosted a postgame conference after his team lost to the Eagles 38-31, and no one showed up to hear him talk or ask him questions.

From no one showing up to reporters asking silly questions or getting silly answers, what is supposed to be a serious question-and-answer session can quickly turn into a hilarious press conference.

Here is a list of 20 of the funniest press conferences of all time.

No. 20 Andy Roddick Confesses to Eavesdropping

In this press conference, Andy Roddick poked fun at himself and the game by saying he was eavesdropping on the umpire and the trainers.

On top of that, his overall responses to the questions asked are hilarious. 

No. 19 Derek Anderson Flips Out on Reporter

Derek Anderson may be taking this press conference seriously, but his reaction to one reporter’s question is awkwardly funny. 

When asked why he and another teammate were laughing on the field during a conversation, even though his team was down by 18 points, he flips out and walks away from the press conference leaving everyone there with unanswered questions. 

No. 18 Dirk Nowitzki Kills Bug

During a 2006 press conference, this basketball player takes a second to kill an annoying bug crawling across the table he is seated at. Both Dirk Nowitzki and the members in the audience laugh at the random movement. 

No. 17 Jim Boeheim Takes Frustration Out on Unruly Microphone

Everyone has been where this coach was at with technology during this postgame press conference. Sometimes technology works just fine, and other times it acts up causing further frustration.

In this case this malfunction provided the perfect comedic opportunity for the coach to angrily shove the microphone around as he became more and more frustrated with this piece of technology. 

No. 16 LSU Staff Left Speechless as Coach Makes Announcement to Media

LSU head coach Les Miles made a brief announcement at this 2007 press conference. In his statement he made it very clear that he is irritated he has to address the media and that he had no intentions of answering questions or elaborating further.

Once he walks out on the press conference, the rest of the staff sitting at the table all look around at one another and laugh before following suit. 

No. 15 Jim Mora Rants About Playoffs

It seems that Jim Mora doesn't have much confidence in his team after this press conference.

What makes this funny is his total surprise that anyone would want to talk about playoffs when his team can't seem to win a regular season game.

No. 14 Les Miles Doesn’t Read Books?

Les Miles is a very passionate man. He loves football, and apparently he loves watching his team’s football films.

In this press conference the coach jokes that he doesn’t read books, but if he did he is sure watching those team films would be just like reading a book.

No. 13 Tony LaRussa Answers Phone During Press Conference

Many people get annoyed when others answer their phones during a meeting or conversation.

Tony LaRussa became one of those offenders when he hilariously answered his phone to speak with someone during this press conference. Not only was it hilarious that he actually answered his phone, the responses he gives to whomever is on the other line make himself and the reporters chuckle quite a few times during the conversation. 

No. 12 Roy Hodgson Stops Conference for Two Late Reporters

During this press conference Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson stops to speak to two late reporters who have decided to set up their equipment right in the front row in front of him.

He begins laughing as he asks the two men if they would like him to start over or if they need any help setting up.

No. 11 Kobe Bryant Curses on Live Television

Everyone knows the FCC doesn't like it when people curse on live television. Even if someone were in a dramatic or excited moment, anything deemed unsavory is usually bleeped out on a delay.

In one postgame conference, Kobe Bryant seemed to have forgotten that rule when he says "shit" on live television. He and the audience then begin to laugh as he realizes what he did. 

No. 10 Eli Manning and the Empty Press Conference

On Dec. 21, Eli Manning decided to host a postgame conference to address how his team lost a 31-10 lead against the Eagles, and ended up losing the game 38-31.

Even though Manning is a Super Bowl MVP and a very well known athlete in the world of sports, no one showed up to his press conference. The empty seats in the audience were caught on tape in this video of the press conference.

No. 9 T-Mac and Yao Ming Joke Around at Press Conference

During this 2008 press conference, T-Mac, aka Tracy McGrady, jokingly calls Yao Ming out on his ambitions to be a bigger force on the floor during their game.

Yao Ming seems a little confused as to where T-Mac is heading with his comments, but goes along with the hilarious banter. 

No. 8 Kevin Garnett Describes Guarding Against Shaq

When asked what it is like to guard against the massive player that is Shaq, Kevin Garnett explains it in terms of holding up a house in this press conference.

That must be one tough job, because just imagining holding up a house is exhausting! 

No. 7 LeBron James Trips Over His Words

In this press conference after a game between the Cavaliers and Nets, LeBron James gets all tripped up over his words and eventually pokes fun at himself by proclaiming that he never went to college.

It’s funny to hear him slow down and work out his sentence, but it’s also nice to see that he can make fun of himself for the mistake. 

No. 6 Shaq Burns Reporter on Stupid Question

While playing for the Miami Heat, Shaq was asked a ridiculously stupid scenario question by a reporter in the audience. He then turns the question around to burn the reporter and make a joke about the reporter’s wife.

That’s what you get when you try to make a joke about Shaq’s mom.

No. 5 Allen Iverson Calls Michael Jordan Michael Jackson

During this conference, Allan Iverson seems a bit nervous speaking in front of so many reporters at one time. In his haste to get his answer out to a question he accidently says Michael Jackson when he meant to say Michael Jordan.

Following this slip of the tongue, both Iverson and the crowd began laughing and giggling for several seconds. 

No. 4 Allen Iverson Talks About Practice

Allen Iverson goes off into a random tangent about practice during this press conference.

The way he describes practice and the repetition of the word throughout his speech make this one of the funniest press conferences of all time. 

"We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice."

No. 3 Ron Artest 2010 Game 7 Post-Game Conference

Ron Artest comes out to this postgame conference super excited to have just won another championship with the Lakers.

He’s pumped up, he’s looking for his Wheaties and he’s going off on random hilarious tangents, but ultimately showing how thankful and happy he is for the win. 

No. 2 Nate Robinson and Glen Davis Joke Around During Press Conference

It’s clear that these two teammates aren’t just two guys forced to play with one another. These are two teammates who are friends on and off the court.

When asked about their on-court celebration during a game in the 2010 Finals, Nate Robinson jokingly refers to himself and Glen Davis as Shrek and Donkey.

Overall the content and manner in which they provide their answers during this press conference is hilarious.

No. 1 Kevin Garnett Wants Theme Music

Kevin Garnett is one funny man in a press conference.

In this 2009 press conference, Garnett sings the Superman theme song in reference to Paul Pierce and his amazing assists and shots during their game. 

That's teammate loyalty, that he wants to give Pierce theme music but not himself.