New York Knicks star Kolek wants Tom Brady on celebrity row
New York Knicks star Tyler Kolek says he wants NFL legend Tom Brady on Madison Square Garden's celebrity row more often next season. Speaking to Page Six at the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City, the 25-year-old guard praised Timothée Chalamet's playoff support and named Brady as the A-lister he'd like to see courtside again.
Key Takeaways
- Kolek told Page Six at the 2026 ESPYs he wants Tom Brady back on Knicks celebrity row more often.
- Brady previously attended two Knicks games in November 2024.
- Kolek praised Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller for loyal courtside support.
- The Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973, ending a 53-year drought.
- Kolek said offseason work for a back-to-back title "starts right now."
Who did the New York Knicks star say he wants on celebrity row?
The New York Knicks star made his wish clear: Tom Brady. Kolek said the NFL legend "He's been there before but he has to come more often," according to Page Six.
Brady attended two games at Madison Square Garden in November 2024. Kolek framed the ask as a next-season boost for celebrity row, not a first-time invite.
The comment lands as New York's celebrity courtside culture keeps drawing A-list attention after the team's title run. For more celebrity news, browse BlasterPost's Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Why does Tyler Kolek want Tom Brady at Knicks games?
Kolek's Brady pitch is personal as much as promotional. "I grew up a Patriots fan, when he left I kind of bandwagoned and went to the Buccaneers because I wasn't really a Patriots fan, I was a Tom Brady fan," he told Page Six.
That lifelong fandom explains why the guard singled Brady out while celebrating MSG's star-studded regulars. Kolek wants Brady courtside more frequently after the Knicks' championship season.
How has Timothée Chalamet supported the Knicks?
Kolek also highlighted Chalamet's loyalty during the playoff run. "[Chalamet] was there last year throughout the whole playoff run so obviously we knew he was going to be here this year on the road, at home…" he said of the "Marty Supreme" actor.
Madison Square Garden's celebrity row also includes Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller. Kolek credited those fans for showing up at home and on the road: "It's cool seeing all the support we get."
What did Kolek say about the Knicks' championship and next season?
Reflecting on the title — the franchise's first since 1973 — Kolek said, "It felt amazing, 53 years, we felt it. Not only did we [feel] it, but the whole city felt it, the whole fan base, so it's been pretty special."
The Knicks are already eyeing a repeat. "It starts right now, it starts in the summer," Kolek said. "All the work we put in leading up to the season. … I know we play deep into the summer, but we're getting back after it now."
"We're getting ready to go for next year," he added. Teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Jose Alvarado and Mikal Bridges also attended the ESPN-presented 2026 ESPYs.