Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke awkwardly stole the show during the Larry O’Brien trophy presentation at the NBA Finals.
Kroenke talked directly into reporter Lisa Salters’ ear — instead of the microphone — during his interview after Denver defeated the Heat, 94-89, in Game 5 to claim the franchise’s first NBA championship on Monday night.
It created an uncomfortable spectacle for those watching the ABC broadcast while Kroenke mumbled through his responses.
Salters, trying to get his reaction to the historic victory, tried to hold the microphone closer to the 75-year-old Kroenke’s mouth while he continued to lean into her ear.
Social media had a frenzy with the moment, roasting the owner.
“Stan Kroenke vs the mic was the toughest matchup of the Finals,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Does he not understand how microphones work?” another wrote.
Some wondered if Kroenke was trying to make sure Salters heard his answers amidst the rowdy crowd at Ball Arena.
But trophy presentations should be nothing new to Kroenke, who also owns the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Rams and the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth, which all won titles in 2022.
That’s a lot of parading in two years –– something Nuggets star Nikola Jokić appeared to want sooner rather than later for the Nuggets.
Jokić’s tempered celebration of the win also went viral after the superstar said he needed “to go home” after he was asked about his excitement level over the parade.
Jokić was unanimously named the Finals MVP after averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists in the five-game series.
“The job is done and we can go home now,” Jokić said to Salters after the game.