The New York Knicks moved quickly on Friday to defend pop superstar Taylor Swift after reserve guards Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride questioned her authenticity as a courtside supporter during an online broadcast.
The remarks surfaced Thursday during an NBA 2K League livestream on TikTok, NBC News and The Guardian US reported. When an audience member asked the two players to identify the least authentic celebrity fan seen courtside at an NBA contest, Kolek singled out Swift.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games. … It’s a little performative,” Kolek said, according to USA TODAY Sports.
McBride agreed with his teammate’s assessment and anticipated a swift public reaction from the singer’s massive fan base, remarking that “Swifties not gonna like that answer,” The Sporting News reported. Kolek acknowledged that Swift’s demanding schedule limits her availability to attend games, yet maintained that her appearances felt staged. McBride contrasted Swift’s attendance with actors Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan, praising both as dedicated, long-standing fans, according to The Guardian US.
The Knicks’ Official Response
The franchise intervened on Friday to prevent lingering controversy, issuing a statement to several news organizations, including ESPN, NBC News and Entertainment Weekly.
“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.
The skepticism from Kolek and McBride diverged from comments by teammate Jose Alvarado, who welcomed Swift’s presence courtside during the postseason. Alvarado told Us Weekly in June that he was thrilled by her support and hoped she would attend games more frequently in the upcoming season.
Swift’s History at Madison Square Garden
Swift, 36, has maintained ties to Madison Square Garden dating back more than two decades. She first performed in the arena at age 13 during a 2003 Knicks halftime talent showcase, The Guardian US reported. Swift has also been spotted at home games since relocating to New York City in 2014, according to The Sporting News.
During the Knicks’ recent championship run, Swift attended several high-stakes postseason contests. She sat courtside for Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs alongside actor Mariska Hargitay and musicians Alana and Este Haim. Swift wore a royal blue T-shirt displaying the orange text “Stevie Knicks,” a nod to rock icon Stevie Nicks, USA TODAY Sports reported. The Knicks went on to defeat the Spurs in five games, capturing the franchise’s first league championship in 53 years.
Swift also attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland alongside her husband, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. In July, Swift and Kelce were married at Madison Square Garden before approximately 1,000 guests, The Sporting News reported.
Neither Kolek nor McBride has publicly responded to the organization’s statement, according to The Sporting News.
