Why Was Tyrese Haliburton Wearing a Cubs Jersey?

For some fans, it was a harmless nod to Chicago. For others, it read like a small, public act in a larger personal narrative about being welcomed or shut out by a hometown franchise.

Tyrese Haliburton and the Brewers’ First Pitch Controversy

The first-pitch incident dates to last summer. Haliburton said he had been invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Brewers game. After the Pacers’ playoff run, which ended another Milwaukee season, the team reportedly rescinded that invitation. Haliburton publicly referenced the change the following spring, saying the canceled appearance was the reason he considered himself “no longer a Brewers fan.”

“I was a Brewers fan, and then I was supposed to throw the first pitch last summer, and then they X’d that after the playoffs ended. So I said, you know what, I’m no longer a Brewers fan,” Haliburton said. The reaction to his wearing the Cubs jersey now was immediate and sharp. 

Some Wisconsin fans took it personally. Others treated it as standard PR as teams adjust appearances for myriad reasons. Still, the optics were poor. A hometown player publicly saying he was disinvited by the Brewers fed a narrative about being punished for on-court success.

Social posts amplified the sting, with some fans lobbing insults and calling Haliburton a traitor. Others defended him, noting the Brewers were likely protecting their brand during a sensitive playoff window. Haliburton’s own tone on social media has been measured. But is Haliburton really a Cubs fan? 

Is Tyrese Haliburton a Chicago Cubs fan?

The short answer is… not strictly. Haliburton has worn many jerseys and shown a broad appreciation for sports culture. The Cubs jersey appears to be more of a moment than a declared allegiance. He’s been photographed in different team gear over the years. He’s also publicly named other teams and players, and even games like WWE, that he follows closely.

Where things get messy is what fans infer. In pro sports, gestures like jerseys carry meaning. For a Wisconsin native whose first-pitch invite was rescinded, a Cubs jersey reads louder than a regular piece of clothing. Some fans read it as a snub to the Brewers. Others read it as playful disloyalty. Either way, it was always inevitably going to generate a reaction.

But this incident is mostly optics, not drama for the Pacers. On the court, Haliburton’s status and contract remain unchanged. Off the court, it’s a reminder of how athletes’ small choices get amplified in the social era. A single jersey can become a statement, accidental or intentional, and land a player in the middle of a social-media feud.

For Wisconsin fans, the moment tapped a deeper emotion of hometown pride mixed with a sense of ownership. For Haliburton, it’s an annoyance and a reminder that being a star brings intense scrutiny over even the smallest moves. The Cubs jersey didn’t change Haliburton’s career arc. But it did strengthen one truth.

In 2025, athletes and audiences are negotiating loyalty in public. Jerseys are no longer just clothing, but the very factor of one’s commitment.