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A New York Knicks radio host is being swarmed by Swifties after she questioned Taylor Swift for being at the NBA Finals.
A hot mic moment during Wednesday night’s Game 4 caught ESPN and MSG Network analyst Monica McNutt, 36, the moment that she realized that Swift, 36, was in the Madison Square Garden crowd to cheer on the Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks went on to pull off the greatest comeback in NBA history.
McNutt’s fellow announcer, Tyler Murray, first spotted Swift in the audience and pointed her out as he took out his phone to take a picture of the singer. McNutt then said, “She’s not a Knicks fan, get out of here girl.”
Viewers immediately took to social media to call McNutt out for the diss and point out that the “Shake It Off” singer has been seen attending Knicks games as early as 2014.
“Monica McNutt, why the hate? & was this really live on air? Yikes!” one person wrote on X.
ESPN and MSG Network analyst Monica McNutt is facing criticism after she questioned Taylor Swift's love for the Knicks while on a hot mic
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ESPN and MSG Network analyst Monica McNutt is facing criticism after she questioned Taylor Swift's love for the Knicks while on a hot mic (Getty Images)
Another person added, “oh Monica McNutt, loud, mean, and wrong and for what??
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy wrote on X: “Damn. Hate to see [McNutt] hating on Taylor Swift. Lots of new faces in the crowd. Don’t see her singling them out. Knicks are falling apart at the seams.”
“What was the point of being rude? surely as a female analyst monica mcnutt should be excited about the amount of female fans this will bring attention to the game?” another person wrote.
McNutt has not publicly commented on the backlash and did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment.
Taylor Swift has been seen attending Knicks games since 2014
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Taylor Swift has been seen attending Knicks games since 2014 (Getty Images)
Swift attended Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals with Alana and Este Haim and sat with Mariska Hargitay
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Swift attended Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals with Alana and Este Haim and sat with Mariska Hargitay (Reuters)
After the game, she shared videos of herself celebrating the Knicks 107-106 victory against the Spurs with devoted Knicks fan Ben Stiller and his wife, Christine Taylor.
The broadcaster has worked at ESPN since 2019 as a studio and game analyst. In addition to her ESPN role, she is also a studio analyst for the Knicks and hosts MSG PM on MSG Networks.
Swift — who has lived in New York since 2014 — attended Wednesday’s game with Alana and Este Haim, who wore matching Knicks t-shirts with puns on them. The group sat courtside with Mariska Hargitay, Stiller and Taylor. The game was packed with celebrities including Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Spike Lee, Sydney Sweeney, Scooter Braun, Chris Rock and Adam Sandler.
The Knicks will face the Spurs again Saturday at Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio, Texas.