Knicks defend Taylor Swift after players call her 'performative' courtside fan

The New York Knicks defended Taylor Swift on Friday after reserve guards Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride described her courtside appearances as "performative" during an NBA 2K livestream on Thursday, prompting the club to issue a statement praising her long association with Madison Square Garden.

During the NBA 2K livestream, the pair were asked to name the least authentic celebrity fan they had seen courtside. "At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative because like they just want to be seen at the game," Kolek said. "They’re not necessarily fans. Probably Taylor Swift." McBride agreed with Kolek’s assessment, and Kolek added: "I’m going to get some hate from the Swifties. I guess she’s got a lot going on, so she can’t come all the time, but ... it’s a little performative."

On the same stream McBride identified actor Ben Stiller and comedian Tracy Morgan as more committed supporters, calling both "solid" fans. The Knicks responded on Friday with a club statement: "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.

Swift, 36, attended Game 4 of this year’s NBA finals where she sat courtside alongside actor Mariska Hargitay and musicians Alana and Este Haim. At that game she wore a royal blue "Stevie Knicks" T-shirt with orange lettering that went viral and inspired a wave of copycat merchandise.

She watched OG Anunoby score a last-second tip-in at that Game 4 to secure a New York victory. Swift also attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a longtime Cleveland sports fan.

Swift first performed at Madison Square Garden as a 13-year-old in 2003 during a Knicks half-time talent contest, and she and Kelce were married at the arena in July. Kolek and McBride are both eligible for contract extensions; the Knicks said in October they were not holding extension talks with players, and the team hold a $2.5m option on Kolek for the 2026-27 season.