The New York Knicks have come to the defense of pop superstar Taylor Swift after two of their players questioned her authenticity as a celebrity fan. The basketball team's point guards Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride made the comments during an NBA 2K livestream on Thursday.
When asked who the least genuine celebrity Knicks fan was, Kolek responded: "At the Knicks games, I would say it's very performative, cause like they just want to be seen at the game, they're not necessarily fans. Maybe Taylor Swift?" He added, "I don't know if I've seen her at any other games."
Swift did attend Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland and Game Four of the NBA Finals in New York City in May and June. At the latter, she was part of a star-studded crowd that witnessed the Knicks come from behind to win. She wore a blue shirt with "Stevie Knicks" written on it, alongside musicians Este Haim, Alana Haim, and actor Mariska Hargitay.
On Friday, a Knicks spokesperson defended Swift, telling media: "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 organisation."
McBride added that "everybody else is usually solid," citing actor Ben Stiller and comedian Tracy Morgan as examples. Kolek joked that he was "gonna get some hate from the Swifties" and noted, "she's got a lot going on so she can't come all the time... it's a little performative."
The Knicks went on to win their first championship in over 50 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game Five, which sent New York City into a frenzy.
Swift's connection to Madison Square Garden runs deep. She performed there during her "Fearless" tour in 2009 and "Speak Now" tour in 2011. In July, she and her husband Travis Kelce tied the knot at the iconic venue in a star-studded ceremony officiated by actor Adam Sandler.
Few details about the wedding have been released, but Swift's publicist confirmed that both the singer and Kelce wore Christian Dior. Neither had bridesmaids or groomsmen. Swift's brother, Austin Swift, served as her man of honour, and Jason Kelce, Travis's brother, was his best man.
The Knicks' defense of Swift highlights the delicate balance between celebrity fandom and genuine support. While Kolek and McBride's comments were made in a light-hearted context, they sparked a conversation about the authenticity of celebrity fans. The Knicks organization was quick to praise Swift's long-standing relationship with the team and the Garden.
Swift has attended other Knicks games in the past, including a matchup against the Chicago Bulls in October 2014 and against the Orlando Magic in November 2014. Her presence at games often draws significant media attention, and her fandom is well-documented.
As the Knicks celebrate their championship, the team remains grateful for the support of all their fans, celebrity or otherwise. The players' comments may have been in jest, but the Knicks' response shows they value every fan, especially one with Swift's star power.
