Fastrack · Knicks Players Call Taylor Swift Their 'Fakest' Fan

Knicks guard Tyler Kolek named Taylor Swift the team's least authentic celebrity fan during an NBA 2K livestream. Teammate Miles "Deuce" McBride agreed.

Kolek said he hadn't seen Swift at other games, calling her attendance performative.
Both players praised Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan as regular Knicks supporters.
The Independent reports the video has since been deleted.
Swift attended Finals Game 4 and an Eastern Conference Finals game against Cleveland.

Why it matters: The remarks reopen a fight over celebrity fans that followed the Knicks' first title in 53 years.

Hank Azaria, Charlamagne Tha God and Dave Portnoy criticized her Finals courtside appearance.
ESPN analyst Monica McNutt apologized after saying on air that Swift was not a fan.

How 18 sources split on this story

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

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Coverage by lean% of 18 sources

18 sources · 30 articles · 50% Center coverage

Where they split: Coverage divides over whether Swift is a longtime Knicks fan or a celebrity seeking attention at a winning team's games.

Center coverage, 9 sources: The center notes the contrast with NFL fans who once said Swift attended too many games, while reporting the players' remarks in their own words.

Billboard3dTaylor Swift Called the ‘Fakest’ New York Knicks Fan by 2 of Team’s Players: ‘It’s a Little Performative’Heavy2dKnicks Issue Statement After Tyler Kolek Calls Out Taylor Swift TMZ2dKnicks Org. Show Support For Taylor Swift After Players Call Her Fakest Celeb Fan USA Today2dKnicks support Taylor Swift after players called her 'fakest' fan BBC News2dKnicks defend Taylor Swift after players name her 'fakest celebrity fan'Deadline2dKnicks Rep Thanks Taylor Swift For “Many Years” Of Fan Support After Tyler Kolek Comments ESPN2dCancelled? Knicks' Kolek, McBride call out Taylor Swift as 'performative' fan Newsweek2dKnicks Release Statement Defending Taylor Swift After Comment From Tyler Kolek PennLive3dTwo Knicks players question Swift’s courtside fandom

Left coverage, 6 sources: The left frames the players' claim as questionable, citing photos of Swift at Knicks games dating to 2014 and the team's own defense of her.

The Independent1dNew York Knicks rush to Taylor Swift’s defense after player brands her ‘fakest’ fan Cleveland.com3dTwo Knicks players question Swift’s courtside fandom Hollywood Reporter2dNew York Knicks Defend Taylor Swift After Player Tyler Kolek Calls Her a “Performative” Fan NBC News2dTaylor Swift is the ‘fakest’ celeb Knicks fan, players say; team rushes to her defense The Guardian2dBad blood? Knicks defend Taylor Swift after players accuse her of being ‘fake fan’Vice2dTaylor Swift Called the Knicks’ ‘Fakest’ Celebrity Fan by Two of the Team’s Own Players

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right treats the players as saying aloud what many fans think, that Swift's courtside visits are about visibility rather than basketball.

OutKick2dKnicks defend Taylor Swift's fandom after guard Tyler Kolek calls her support 'very performative'New York Post23hTyler Kolek owns up to Taylor Swift fan comment that earned him some fun Knicks ribbing Daily Mail13hKnicks star desperately tries to make amends after sparking outrage by calling Taylor Swift 'fakest fan'

What’s next: The Knicks said Swift has been a fan for many years and thanked her for her support.

Swift's representative had not commented as of publication.
Will Kolek or McBride address the comments after the video's deletion?
Will Swift respond, as she did to past NFL criticism?