SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama has reportedly suspended relations with the American media, granting one highly specific diplomatic exemption to 60 Minutes as he continues processing San Antonio’s loss in the NBA Finals.
According to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, Wembanyama has been completely locked in since the defeat and currently isn’t speaking with American outlets outside the long-running CBS program.
The Spurs star previously admitted the Finals loss caused “a few sleepless nights,” adding that he doesn’t want to hide from the emotions surrounding it.
Sources say those emotions can apparently only be discussed beneath dramatic lighting while an enormous stopwatch ticks somewhere off camera.
“Normal media availability is closed,” one team source explained. “But if you arrive with three cameras, a correspondent who has interviewed six presidents and enough footage for a Sunday-night investigative segment, Victor will hear you out.”
Representatives from podcasts, debate shows and NBA television programs reportedly attempted to obtain similar exemptions but were informed they do not currently possess recognized diplomatic status.
The Spurs stressed that Wembanyama has not literally declared an embargo on the United States and continues handling ordinary team media responsibilities.
Still, tensions reportedly rose when a reporter approached him with a microphone Tuesday and Wembanyama asked whether the conversation would be approximately 60 minutes long.
At press time, 60 Minutes had been granted access to San Antonio under the same protections normally reserved for embassies, visiting heads of state and Gregg Popovich interviews.
