Two New York Knicks players, Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride, publicly questioned whether Taylor Swift is a genuine fan of the team, according to Billboard's report. Billboard's headline said two of the team's players called Swift the fakest New York Knicks fan. In Billboard's account, Kolek acknowledged that the remarks would draw criticism, saying, "I'm gonna get some hate from the Swifties."
The Guardian reported that Kolek called Swift's courtside appearances "performative," and that McBride agreed as teammates questioned celebrity fandom more broadly. The Guardian said the two players are from last season's NBA champions and accused the singer of being a fair-weather fan.
The Guardian also reported that the Knicks released a statement on Friday defending Swift and describing her as a longtime supporter of the team. The full wording of the statement is not included in the report summaries available for this story.
Billboard's story was written by Hannah Dailey, and The Guardian's was credited to Guardian sport. Both outlets name Kolek and McBride as the players who made the remarks.
The reports available for this story do not include a response from Swift to the players' comments or to the Knicks statement.
Sources: Billboard: Taylor Swift Called the ‘Fakest’ New York Knicks Fan by 2 of Team’s Players: ‘It’s a Little Performative’; The Guardian: Bad blood? Knicks defend Taylor Swift after players accuse her of being ‘fake fan’.