After multiple reporters were caught on a hot mic judging the attractiveness of certain Sacramento Kings players, one person is clearing their name of speculation.<\/p>\n
The Kings officially launched the 2026-27 NBA season with their annual Media Day event this week, giving reporters access to players and coaches. Sacramento NBC affiliate KCRA was one of several local outlets livestreaming the event, and, to some reporters\u2019 surprise, the livestream stayed live between player press conferences. At one point, the network\u2019s mics picked up reporters talking about Ben Simmons and Zach LaVine<\/a> being \u201cfine\u201d and \u201chella fine\u201d among several other opinions and assessments that clearly were not meant for public consumption.<\/p>\n Several reporters have since been rumored to be the voices heard on the livestream. Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area and California is one reporter whose name quickly got caught up in those rumors. Rodriguez, however, has since issued a statement to confirm it was not her voice on the hot mic.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/tfLmHSELpe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tristi Rodriguez (@tristi_r14) October 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe past few days have been tough. I got dragged into something that had nothing to do with me, and I watched my name and reputation tarnished across the internet. To be very clear \u2013 that was not my voice at Kings Media Day,\u201d Rodriguez wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to clear my name, not for the trolls who have flooded my mentions and DMs with horrific messages, but for myself. Thank you to those who know me and my professionalism and immediately knew that wasn\u2019t me. Your messages, support, and love have gone a long way over these extremely dark days.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to another exciting NBA season and continuing to do what I do best \u2013 my job,\u201d Rodriguez said in closing.<\/p>\n After Rodriguez\u2019s name was among those immediately speculated about in the wake of the hot mic incident, some reporters quickly\u00a0<\/a>defended her, saying\u00a0her voice wasn\u2019t one of those heard on the livestream. The rumors undoubtedly put Rodriguez in a tough spot. While she may not have wanted to give credence to the rumors and messages she was receiving, Rodriguez ultimately decided to address the story by clearing her name.<\/p>\n In the wake of the rampant speculation around which journalists were caught in the hot mic incident, no reputable outlet has confirmed the reporters involved, and no reporter has come forward to confirm whether it was their voice gossiping about players.<\/p>\n \t