Knicks player Tyler Kolek calls Taylor Swift’s courtside appearance ‘a little performative’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek has sparked a debate over Taylor Swift’s loyalty to the NBA team after calling the Grammy-winning singer one of the “fakest” celebrity fans to attend games.

His remarks prompted a response from the Knicks, who defended Swift’s long-standing association with Madison Square Garden and expressed appreciation for her support.

Tyler Kolek questions Taylor Swift’s Knicks fandom

In an interview segment for NBA 2K League on Thursday, November 5, Kolek, 25, and fellow Knicks point guard Miles James “Deuce” McBride, 26, answered several questions, including which celebrity they considered the fakest fan sitting courtside at an NBA game.

Kolek suggested that some celebrities attend games primarily for visibility rather than their interest in basketball. “At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative … like they just want to be seen at the game, they’re not necessarily fans,” he said.

When asked to identify someone who fit that description, Kolek said, "Maybe Taylor Swift? I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games.”

McBride appeared to agree with his teammate’s assessment, although he acknowledged that the response might not go down well with Swift’s dedicated fanbase. “I’m going to get some hate from the Swifties,” Kolek admitted.

He subsequently suggested that the singer’s busy schedule could explain her limited appearances at games. “I guess she’s got a lot going on so she can’t come all the time, but … it’s a little performative,” he added.

Meanwhile, McBride offered a different perspective by praising celebrities Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan, describing them as “solid” supporters who regularly attend Knicks games.

New York Knicks defend Taylor Swift after Tyler Kolek's remarks

Following Kolek’s comments, the New York Knicks publicly defended Swift’s connection with the organisation. A spokesperson for the team issued a statement to E! News on November 6, emphasizing the singer’s history with the franchise.

“Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden,” the spokesperson said. “And we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization.”

Swift has been photographed attending several Knicks games over the years and was among the team's vocal supporters during their NBA championship-winning campaign earlier this year. She attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 10, accompanied by friends Alana Haim, Este Haim, and Mariska Hargitay.

For the occasion, Swift wore customised Knicks merchandise featuring the playful inscription “Stevie Knicks.” She had also attended the game just one day after surprising attendees with a special performance at the 'Toy Story 5' premiere in Los Angeles.

The pop star and her husband, Travis Kelce, also supported the Knicks during the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland, Ohio, in May. The couple took on the role of cheerleaders for the team, with the chair Swift occupied at Rocket Arena subsequently put up for auction by The Realest. It eventually sold for $7,000.