The NBA Finals are always the biggest stage for the two conference champs, but there’s a lot more going on than just basketball. Media day, travel, and non-stop interviews all add to the chaos. Through it all, LeBron James has won four titles by keeping his focus sharp, no matter the distractions.
But this time, he’s weighing in on something different: the Super Bowl.
NFL Athletes Grumble About the Super Bowl to King James
While chatting with Steve Nash on the “Mind the Game” podcast, James opened up about what some NFL players really think of the Super Bowl. For all the glitz and halftime shows, not everyone is impressed.
“I’ve heard NFL guys say they hate the Super Bowl,” James said. “There’s guys I’ve seen — even when they won it — they hated the Super Bowl because it didn’t feel like a game. It felt like a business. It felt like, just bring us here, dog and pony show, you know? And it didn’t feel like a regular game.”
That criticism comes on the heels of the 2025 Super Bowl, where Kendrick Lamar delivered a headline-stealing halftime performance, and even Serena Williams showed off her moves. The spectacle ended up overshadowing the Eagles’ dominant win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
It’s a surprising perspective. While entertainment might attract casual fans, keeping the actual game front and center should always be the priority.
And if there’s one way to stay focused when the spotlight is blinding, James says it’s about remembering what he learned from Pat Riley.
LeBron James Discusses Pat Riley’s Pearls of Wisdom
James shared Riley’s advice and explained how athletes should approach high-stakes games, such as the Finals or the Super Bowl, with the right mentality.
“It’s not promised that you can get there every year or multiple years,” he said. “You just gotta take full advantage of it. But also, just keep the main thing the main thing. And that’s one of the things I learned from Pat Riley.”
Putting together a strong regular season and falling short in the playoffs doesn’t mean much — just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers, who found that out the hard way this year. That’s why James talked about going the extra mile when it matters most.
So when NFL players complain about the Super Bowl feeling more like a concert than a championship, it raises real concerns. Maybe the league can take a cue from the NBA and refocus on what counts — the game itself.
