Knicks defend Taylor Swift after players call her fandom performative
New York Knicks officials issued a statement defending Taylor Swift on Friday after two team players questioned her authenticity as a fan during an NBA 2K League livestream.
Players question celebrity support
Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride were asked to identify the least authentic celebrity fan seen courtside at an NBA game. During the Thursday broadcast, Kolek stated that some fans are performative because they want to be seen rather than being genuine supporters. He specifically named Taylor Swift as a likely example of this behavior, noting she has many other commitments that prevent her from attending every game.
Team responds with statement
A Knicks spokesperson released a formal response on Friday to address the comments made by the reserve guards. The organization stated that Swift has been a fan for many years and possesses a long history with Madison Square Garden. Officials expressed that they are incredibly appreciative of her continued support of the basketball franchise.
Other fans cited as solid
McBride contrasted Swift with other celebrity supporters he described as solid fans during the same interview segment. He listed actor Ben Stiller and comedian Tracy Morgan as examples of people who are committed Knicks supporters. The team moved quickly to clarify its position after the players made their remarks on the livestream.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- ESPN
- The Guardian
Reported by
2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.