Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, a prominent figure in the NFL, has expressed his growing frustration with the league’s extensive coverage of Taylor Swift’s presence at games. In a recent episode of his podcast, “New Heights,” Kelce commented, “I think they’re overdoing it a little bit for sure.”
The NFL has been closely following Taylor Swift’s attendance at games and her rumored romance with Kelce, which began when she attended a Chiefs game on September 24th. This coverage has led to a surge in Kelce’s jersey sales, increased NFL viewership, and attracted new fans, particularly Swift’s devoted followers, known as “Swifties.”
During the Chiefs’ game against the New York Jets, cameras repeatedly focused on Taylor Swift, even panning to her 17 times, according to Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce’s brother and fellow NFL player, on their podcast. The NFL also heavily promoted Swift’s appearances on social media.
In response to Kelce’s remarks, the NFL defended its coverage of Swift, emphasizing the positive impact of the intersection of sports and entertainment. Swift’s presence at the Chiefs-Jets game garnered an average of 27 million TV viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday show since the Super Bowl.
While the NFL has embraced celebrities attending games, some have expressed concerns about the extensive coverage, contrasting it with basketball games, where celebrity sightings are typically limited. Despite the frustrations voiced by Kelce, the economic and cultural benefits of Swift’s presence are undeniable, as it attracts younger and female viewers to the NFL.
In addition to Taylor Swift’s star power, Kelce himself contributed to the media frenzy by revealing that he had sent her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it. The NFL’s coverage of this high-profile pairing continues to generate significant attention and engagement.
