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UpdatedSat, November 7, 2026 at 8:59 AM UTC
In an NBA 2K League video posted Thursday, the Knicks backcourt duo of Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride were asked about “the fakest celebrity Knicks fan.” Kolek responded, “maybe Taylor Swift,” and said the pop star’s fandom comes across as “a little performative” to him.
A day later, the Knicks organization issued an official statement validating Swift’s fandom. Knicks beat reporter Ian Begley tweeted the statement coming from a team spokesperson.
“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 TIMEmagazine interview from November 2014 confirms the details in this statement. In this interview, Swift (who’d just moved to New York at the time) says that she is “totally” a Knicks fan. The “Shake It Off” singer even comes up with a defiant response after the interviewer reminds her of the team’s underwhelming performance.
“I love them, though. Why does that matter? … I’ve always had this sort of love of the Knicks, just because Amar’e (Stoudemire) is so cool.”
Swift also revealed that she performed at a talent competition in Madison Square Garden as a teen. This was the precursor to several high-profile musical appearances at MSG, where she ultimately tied the knot with Travis Kelce this past summer.
“Don’t Rip Taylor Swift”: Radio Host Slams Tyler Kolek for Questioning Pop Star’s Knicks Fandom
Needless to say, Kolek’s comment drew the ire of fans and pundits alike. On Friday’s edition of the sports talk show “Schein Time,” radio host Adam Schein criticized the Knicks guard for his remarks.
“First of all, don’t rip Taylor Swift. That should be a life motto. Second of all, she’s a New Yorker. She’s been coming to Knicks games since you were playing at Marquette.”
While Schein called himself a fan of Kolek, who is averaging 2.5 points per game in six Knicks outings this season, he told the 25-year-old guard to “take a breath” for now.
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