Knicks defend Taylor Swift after players call her a 'fake fan'

The New York Knicks stood up on Friday for their most famous fan — against two of their own players. After guards Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride questioned whether pop superstar Taylor Swift is a genuine supporter of the team, the club moved quickly with a statement backing Swift.

During an NBA 2K livestream on Thursday, the two players were asked to name the least authentic celebrity fan they had seen courtside at an NBA game. Kolek answered that many people who come to Knicks games are not really fans, they just want to be seen at the 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. Kolek himself 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 named actor Ben Stiller and comedian Tracy Morgan as more committed Knicks supporters, describing both as "solid" fans.

The Knicks moved quickly on Friday to head off any bad blood, issuing a statement defending 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.

Swift, 36, attended Game 4 of this year's NBA finals courtside. She sat 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. She 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.

The Knicks are last season's NBA champions, so the club found itself in the delicate position of defending one of its most famous fans against its own players. But the team acted quickly on Friday to prevent any bad blood with Swift.

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 holds a $2.5m option on Kolek for the 2026-27 season.