Title: NFL Pops with Taylor Swift’s Presence at Kansas City Player’s Games
Date: Thu 5 Oct 2023 04.08 CEST
Travis Kelce, the star player for the Kansas City Chiefs, has spoken out about the NFL’s intense focus on his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. Swift has been spotted at two of Kelce’s games this season, igniting rumors of a potential romantic affiliation. While neither party has confirmed any such connection, the attention surrounding their association has had positive effects for all involved.
Kelce’s jersey sales have skyrocketed since Swift’s appearances, and the NFL has seen a boost in viewership among younger demographics. Furthermore, commercials for Swift’s new film have been showcased during NFL broadcasts, creating a mutually beneficial alliance for both industries.
However, during the latest episode of the podcast that Kelce hosts alongside his brother, he expressed his belief that the NFL may be overdoing it with their coverage. Kelce mentioned that while he enjoys the excitement generated by showcasing celebrity attendance, the league may need to “calm down” in its approach. He acknowledged the league’s attempt to have fun with the situation but felt they were going overboard, particularly when it comes to his specific circumstances.
In recent NFL broadcasts, parts of shows have seemingly become an opportunity for broadcasters to incorporate Swift’s song lyrics into their analysis, leaving little space for actual football discussion. In fact, the NFL’s bio on the X channel following the Chiefs’ game on Sunday playfully read as “NFL (Taylor’s Version).”
Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother, revealed that cameras had cut to Swift’s luxury suite at MetLife Stadium a staggering 17 times during the game against the Jets. Travis Kelce, amused by the excessive coverage, remarked that it seemed as if Swift’s suite was shown once per drive.
Critics have insinuated that the relationship between Swift and Kelce may not be entirely genuine, considering Swift’s ongoing film and tour promotions and Kelce’s status as one of the league’s most marketable players. However, the NFL felt compelled to defend itself against the backlash.
In a statement, the NFL, boasting annual revenues of $12bn, stated, “We frequently change our bios and profile imagery based on what’s happening in and around our games, as well as culturally. The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real-time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport.”
The league has now altered its X bio to read “turning up in Tottenham,” referencing the upcoming Jacksonville Jaguars-Buffalo Bills game in London.
The NFL’s collaboration with Taylor Swift has undoubtedly created headlines and provoked discussions within the sports and entertainment industry. With the positive outcomes experienced by all parties involved, it remains to be seen whether the focus on their relationship will continue or if the league will heed Kelce’s call to dial it back a bit.