Kolek calls singer’s courtside appearances ‘performative’
McBride agrees as teammates question celebrity fandom
Knicks give statement saying Swift is longtime supporter
Taylor Swift’s love story with the New York Knicks caught an unexpected stray after two players from last season’s NBA champions accused the singer of being a fair-weather fan.
The Knicks released a statement on Friday defending Swift after Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride questioned whether the pop superstar was a genuine supporter of the team.
Taylor Swift’s viral ‘Stevie Knicks’ shirt is the NBA finals merch you can make yourselfRead moreThe reserve guards were asked during an NBA 2K livestream on Thursday to name the least authentic celebrity fan they had seen courtside at an NBA game.
“At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative because like they just want to be seen at the game,” Kolek said. “They’re not necessarily fans. Probably Taylor Swift.”
McBride agreed with the assessment, while Kolek acknowledged that his comments could provoke a backlash from Swift’s supporters.
“I’m going to get some hate from the Swifties,” Kolek said. “I guess she’s got a lot going on, so she can’t come all the time, but ... it’s a little performative.”
McBride identified actor Ben Stiller and comedian Tracy Morgan as more committed Knicks supporters, describing both as “solid” fans.
The Knicks found themselves in the delicate position of defending one of their most famous fans against their own players, moving quickly on Friday to head off any bad blood with Swift.
“Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization,” a team spokesperson said.
View image in fullscreenTaylor Swift arrives at Madison Square Garden for Game 4 of the NBA finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in June. Photograph: Frank Franklin II/APSwift, 36, has attended several high-profile Knicks games, including Game 4 of this year’s NBA finals, when she sat courtside alongside actor Mariska Hargitay and musicians Alana and Este Haim. Wearing a royal blue “Stevie Knicks” T-shirt with orange lettering that quickly went viral and inspired a wave of copycat merchandise, she watched OG Anunoby score a last-second tip-in to secure a famous New York victory.
She also attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a longtime Cleveland sports fan.
Swift knows Madison Square Garden all too well, having first performed there as a 13-year-old in 2003 during a Knicks half-time talent contest. She and Kelce married at the arena in July.
Kolek and McBride are both eligible for contract extensions, although the Knicks said in October they were not holding extension talks with players. The team hold a $2.5m option on Kolek for the 2026-27 season.