Knicks defend Taylor Swift after player calls her a 'performative' fan

Taylor Swift's loyalty to the New York Knicks has just been questioned by one of the Knicks themselves. The team wasted no time stepping in to defend her.

What happened? 🏀

Point guard Tyler Kolek, 25, and teammate Miles "Deuce" McBride, 26, sat down with NBA 2K League for a video posted on YouTube on Nov. 5. The question: who is the fakest celebrity fan you've seen courtside?

Kolek said Knicks games feel "very performative." In his words, some celebrities "just want to be seen at the game, they're not necessarily fans."

Then he brought up Swift. Beyond a few playoff games, he said, "I don't know if I've seen her at any other games." He added that she has a lot going on, so she can't come all the time, but it's "a little performative."

McBride agreed, though he sounded nervous. "Swifties not gonna like that answer," he said.

How did the Knicks respond?

Fast. On Nov. 6, a team spokesperson said 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."

Madison Square Garden is the Knicks' home arena in New York. It is also where Swift married NFL star Travis Kelce on July 3.

Why does this feel familiar?

The Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship earlier this year, and Swift was one of their most vocal supporters along the way. She wore custom Knicks merch to game four with friends including Alana and Este Haim. Her shirt read "Stevie Knicks."

During the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland in May, Swift and Kelce acted as cheer captains. The chair she sat in later sold at auction for $7,000.

This isn't the first time her fandom has been questioned. During the June 10 broadcast of the championship game, analyst Monica McNutt said, "She's not a Knicks fan. Get out of here girl." McNutt later apologized for misspeaking and told TMZ, "Shoutout T-Swift. We can be united."

What's next?

Neither Kolek nor Swift has said anything further, at least in the material we've seen. For now, the team's official line is simple: Swift is a Knicks fan, and they're grateful for her.