New York Knicks defend Taylor Swift after players call her fandom performative

The NBA champion New York Knicks have defended Taylor Swift after team point guards Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride publicly labeled her as the squad's least genuine celebrity supporter. BBC News, The Guardian, and Fox News reported that Kolek called Swift's courtside appearances very performative during an NBA 2K livestream on Thursday. [1][3][5]

During the stream, Kolek suggested that celebrities like Swift only attend games because they want to be seen rather than actually being fans, a sentiment that McBride agreed with, according to BBC News, The Guardian, and CBS Sports. [1][3][7]

The franchise quickly moved to counter the players' comments. A Madison Square Garden spokesperson told the Daily Mail that Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with the venue, and that the organization is incredibly appreciative of her support. The Guardian, Fox News, ESPN, and Deadline also confirmed that the team issued a statement defending her longstanding fandom. [3][4][5][8][11]

Swift, an American singer-songwriter, attended Game Four of the NBA Finals in New York City alongside Alana and Este Haim as the Knicks went on to win the championship, the Daily Mail and BBC News reported. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to claim the title. [1][2][12][15]