Why are Taylor Swift fans so mad at ex-Marquette star Tyler Kolek?
· Yahoo Sports
Marquette basketball fans know Tyler Kolek is prone to saying outrageous things.
This is a guy, after all, who provided a expletive-based mantra for a Golden Eagles team that won double Big East championships in the 2022-2023. At MU, Kolek also wasn't afraid to clap back at opposing crowds who likened him to a Jan. 6 participant.
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Now on a global stage with the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks, Kolek's trash talk has angered one of the world's largest fan bases: The Swifties.
Here is the story of a strange drama betweek Kolek and pop star Taylor Swift:
Tyler Kolek called Taylor Swift a "performative" fan on livestream with Knicks teammate
It all started when Kolek went on a livestream with Knicks teammate Deuce McBride as they played the video game "NBA2K" against each other.
An unscripted Kolek is dangerous, and he was asked who were the fakest Knicks fans among the celebrities who routinely populate games at Madison Square Garden.
“Maybe Taylor Swift,” Kolek said. “I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games.”
Q “Who’s the fakest celeb fan you’ve seen courtside?”
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) November 5, 2026
Tyler Kolek “Maybe Taylor Swift?”
Deuce McBride “I would agree…Swifties not gonna like that answer”
Kolek “I’m gonna get some hate…I guess she’s got a lot going on…can’t come all the time…but it’s a little performative” pic.twitter.com/r7v4AJBK04
Kolek also called Swift's fandom a "little performative." He also immediately knew there would be a backlash.
“I’m gonna get some hate from the Swifties," he said.
New York Knicks release statement defending Taylor Swift
The hate was indeed, uh, swift.
The Knicks even had to release an official statement: “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.”
In his first public remarks since the livestream, Kolek backtracked a bit after the Knicks' game on Nov. 7.
"Everybody saw it,” Kolek said. “But it is what it is. For me, it’s just a question that was asked to me that maybe I answered in the wrong way.
"I take that on the chin. But I love her music. We were just playing it five minutes ago and I’m singing every word to every song. Nothing against her at all.”
Knicks blast Taylor Swift songs in the locker room
Swift hasn't waded into the controversy herself.
But she'll likely be pleased that the Knicks blasted Swift's songs “Shake It Off" and “You Belong With Me” in the locker room after the game.
“I love her music,” Kolek said. “I probably know more songs than anybody else in the locker room. I just misspoke.”
Swift has been known to channel events from real life into her music.
Maybe on the next album, Swifties will get a song called "Performative (Tyler's Version)."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are Taylor Swift fans so mad at ex-Marquette star Tyler Kolek?