Media networks should not hire Steve Kerr or Doc Rivers after false claims about ICE | Bobby Burack

Both Doc Rivers and Steve Kerr could return to the media this year. But their comments about ICE earlier this year should give networks pause.

In late January, during public protests, both NBA coaches made false claims about the organization. Kerr said at a press conference that federal agents were “not chasing violent criminals,” but rather “taking five-year-old preschoolers.” Rivers, meanwhile, said ICE was targeting the Browns indiscriminately and was “killing.”

Now, for some facts.

A week before Kerr’s comments, Operation Metro Surge released records showing the feds had arrested dozens of violent criminals, including convicted murderers and sex offenders. That alone undercuts Kerr’s quote.

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Kerr also pointed to a case in Minneapolis involving a five-year-old child. According to DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, the agents were trying to arrest the child’s father, who is suspected to have fled on foot and left the boy alone in the car running in the cold. DHS said agents attempted to place the child with its mother.

They were not “taking” the child.

Rivers’ claims got even more heated. He accused ICE agents of “killing” people. Killing is the official word. He appeared to be talking about the shooting of Jan. 9 of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota. Based on available evidence, the ICE agent involved has been described by federal officials as self-defense, suggesting that Good drove his car toward the agent.

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OutKick sent two reporters to question Kerr and Rivers about their statements, as other media outlets nodded and printed their false claims.

By praising him, Kerr admitted his mistake.

“Being in Minneapolis for those four days was incredibly emotional and powerful. It was a very difficult time for all of us. At the end of those four days, it was a good emotional time. I’m not being negative, and I apologize for the misinformation,” he said.

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However, the River did not go back. He told OutKick that he stands by his words.

“I don’t change what I said at all,” said Rivers. “We should all be worried. Tom Homan, the former head of DHS, said they target people based on their color and if they can speak the language. If Brown, he’s scared because I don’t see anyone going into the villages of Ukraine and arresting anyone. What we can’t get over is what we’re seeing.”

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York on Oct. 27, 2024. (Noah K. Murray/AP)

As OutKick reported at the time, Homan never he said what Mfula said was related to him. The NBA declined to comment.

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Apparently, the league is comfortable with Rivers spreading false information. But would-be videographers in media networks shouldn’t be.

It would be irresponsible for a network like ESPN, Amazon Prime or NBC to hire Rivers, who retired this month, after seeing his willingness to lie about serious issues and double down when faced with the truth.

Networks could also expose themselves to legal risk, given that Rivers uses the word “murder” loosely and incorrectly.

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Protesters use whistles to warn neighbors about ICE activity while confronting Minneapolis police on a street in Minneapolis, Minn., on January 24, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images)

Kerr, who is reportedly considering leaving the Warriors for a media career, is also at risk. Although he showed more backbone than River by admitting his mistake, his first comment is still important. He also has a long history of political commentary, including speaking at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

And while our NBA colleagues are undoubtedly left-leaning, they understand the ally of overt bias. The NBA is still dealing with the fallout from its 2020 activism today. ESPN has finally admitted that fielding far-left voices is not good for business by letting go of commentators like Mark Jones and Clinton Yates.

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Of course, that doesn’t mean the networks won’t look to hire both or one of the coaches. The sports media has a history of decisions that undermine credibility, and both men bring name recognition that managers value.

However, comments made by Kerr or Rivers about ICE were not disrespectful and have been challenged factually. Any network that hires them after that needs serious consideration.