LONDON (Azat TV) – The New York Knicks organization stepped in on Friday to publicly defend pop superstar Taylor Swift after two of the team’s guards labeled her the “fakest” celebrity fan during a social media broadcast, according to reporting published by the BBC. The controversy unfolded on Thursday during an NBA 2K livestream when point guards Tyler Kolek and Miles “Deuce” McBride were asked to identify the least genuine celebrity supporter seen at Madison Square Garden.
“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?” Kolek said during the stream, adding that he had not spotted her at other regular-season matchups. McBride agreed with his teammate, though both players immediately acknowledged that their remarks were likely to draw heavy criticism from Swift’s dedicated fanbase. The Times of India reported that the comments quickly circulated online, prompting an urgent institutional response from the franchise to protect its brand relationship with high-profile attendees.
The Franchise Response and Institutional Context
Facing immediate social media backlash, a spokesperson for the Knicks issued a formal statement on Friday distancing the organization from the players’ remarks. “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,” the team stated.
Club records and media reports indicate that Swift’s association with the franchise extends well beyond recent playoff appearances. The pop singer attended games at Madison Square Garden as early as 2014, including matchups against the Chicago Bulls and the Orlando Magic. Her support continued through the team’s recent postseason runs, with appearances at Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland and Game Four of the NBA Finals in New York City.
Stakes and Public Reaction
The episode highlights the ongoing tension between professional athletes’ candid perceptions of performative celebrity culture and the commercial value of high-profile arena attendance. While Kolek singled out Swift alongside contrasting praise for regular celebrity attendees like actor Ben Stiller and comedian Tracy Morgan, the organization’s swift intervention underscored the commercial importance of maintaining positive ties with major cultural figures.
Swift’s deep ties to Madison Square Garden also encompass major personal and professional milestones. She performed sold-out concerts at the venue during her “Fearless” tour in 2009 and “Speak Now” tour in 2011, and she married husband Travis Kelce at the arena in July in a ceremony officiated by actor Adam Sandler.