Towns, Brunson make surprise WWE cameo during New York sports rush
ESPN reported the Knicks stars joined a packed New York sports week that also featured Tom Brady, Logan Paul, Jay-Z and LeBron James.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Karl-Anthony Towns and Brunson added a WWE twist to a New York sports week already stuffed with famous faces, according to ESPN.
ESPN billed the Knicks pair’s turn as a surprise WWE appearance, landing during a run of events that has put New York at the center of the sports calendar. The city’s week includes Fanatics Fest, the ESPYS, the Sports Humanitarian Awards and the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, ESPN reported.
The clearest chaos came Friday at Fanatics Fest, the four-day fan and collectibles event in New York City. ESPN reported that Towns was on a panel with Tom Brady, Logan Paul and retired Dutch soccer player Wesley Sneijder when the session took a sharp left turn.
With hundreds of fans watching or moving out of the area, Brady and Paul appeared to get into a heated exchange. ESPN said the argument seemed to involve card collections, possibly Brady’s Bowman Chrome rookie card or a trade dispute, though the exact subject was unclear.
Then came the wrestling-style moment. ESPN reported that Brady slapped Paul, and Towns stepped in to break things up. A SportsCenter Instagram post sharing the clip credited WWE for the footage.
Stars everywhere at Fanatics Fest
Fanatics Fest was not short on celebrity traffic. ESPN reported that Jay-Z, LeBron James, Rich Paul and Draymond Green drew a crowd at the Javits Center while music by Maxwell, Dwele and Beyoncé played nearby.
ESPN also cited video posted by Kalan Hooks on X showing Towns trying to get Jay-Z’s attention while Jay-Z was in conversation with LeBron, Green and Rich Paul. Another Hooks post said the group was spotted at the 40/40 Club.
The event is part of a broader sports crush in New York. ESPN reported that the Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and ended their run by winning their first championship in 53 years.
The New York Liberty also won a second Commissioner’s Cup title in Brooklyn, according to ESPN. The outlet reported that Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce held their wedding at Madison Square Garden, adding another celebrity draw to the city’s packed stretch.
Jay-Z returned to New York for a three-night concert series at Yankee Stadium, ESPN reported. That came before Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers were due in town for a marquee series against the New York Yankees.
ESPN also reported that Gotham FC set a new attendance record for a women’s sports event in New York City, while Fanatics Fest brought in stars including Brady and LeBron. The week builds toward Sunday’s World Cup final, capping a crowded run for the city’s sports scene.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.