Nick Wright Demands Change To NBA's Postgame Press Conferences

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 12, 2026 10:28 AM ET

Sunday saw the Philadelphia 76ers bow out of the playoffs in a sweep to the New York Knicks. After the game, 76ers superstar Joel Embiid invited his son Arthur to the postgame press conference to sit with him as he fielded questions. But that decision rubbed Fox's Nick Wright the wrong way.

On Monday's edition of First Things First, Wright argued that Embiid and other athletes shouldn't be allowed to bring their children to those kinds of press conferences after they lose games. He believes that Embiid was perhaps trying to use Arthur to shield himself from some of the tougher or more uncomfortable questions that reporters were ready to ask.

“Bringing children to press conferences after losses should not be allowed,” Wright said. "And I think Joel Embiid is obviously a great family man and an awesome dad… it is, whether intentional or not, the ultimate effect is your kid is shielding you from what could tough or uncomfortable questions. That is the point of those press conferences.”

Nick Wright: "Bringing children to press conferences after losses should not be allowed" pic.twitter.com/jXzb0RzY07
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 11, 2026

Wright added that Embiid is hardly the only NBA player guilty of doing this, and he generally likes how the NBA does more to have players embrace being family men. But he feels that there's a time and a place for having kids at the podium and season-ending losses aren't among them.

“I’m not picking on Embiid because he’s not the only guy to do it, and I do like NBA guys after in the ’90s it was the opposite … I really like how the modern NBA star has really embraced [being a family man],” Wright said.

“But I don’t think, after season-ending losses, when you’re talking about your future with a team, that you should have your kid on your lap. Just, I know I’ll get ripped for it, but I know I’m right.”

Accountability

NBA fans found themselves in agreement on this point for multiple reasons:

"The kid becomes a shield for accountability. Nick is absolutely correct on this one," one user on X replied.

"I hate agreeing with this guy but in this case he’s correct," wrote another.

"Nick is correct.. how many people are allowed to bring their kid to work with them and sit them on (your) lap during a meeting? He is using his kid as a shield..." a third wrote.

"Win or lose, kids should not be at press conferences. It’s part of the job and it’s not bring your kid to work day."

"I’m ngl nick is 100% right here. Players bring their kids to intentionally shield themselves from harsh questions. Embiid just got SWEPT and now the press has to be nice since there’s a kid or they’ll get scrutinized."

Do you agree with Wright? Should there be tougher restrictions on when players should let their kids into the press conferences?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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