Travis Kelce Not Happy How NFL Covers Taylor Swift; Says They Overdo It
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently voiced his concerns regarding the NFL's attention to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift, according to CBS News.
During an episode of the "New Heights" podcast, hosted alongside his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis discussed Swift's presence at recent Chiefs games, including the matchup against the New York Jets, where celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Hugh Jackman were also in attendance.
Travis Kelce expressed his reservations: "They are not there to get thrown on the TV. You never know; you get caught throwing down a big old cheeseburger and look like an idiot. There are certain things you just don't want to be on TV at all times."
Taylor Swift also graced the Kelce family's box during the Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears on September 24, further amplifying her connection to the NFL world.
Notably, her presence at these games had a tangible impact on merchandise sales and viewership numbers.
StubHub, a ticket resale platform, reported a substantial 175% surge in Chiefs-Jets ticket sales three days after Swift's appearance at the September 24 Chiefs game.
Additionally, nearly 20% of tickets for the October 1 game were sold on the night of Swift's appearance.
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NFL' Not Used to Celebrities Coming to Games,' Said Travis Kelce Brother
Jason Kelce offered his perspective on the matter, suggesting that the NFL might be unaccustomed to handling celebrity attendance at games, in contrast to leagues like the NBA, per TODAY.
He pointed out that in the NBA, celebrities are typically seated courtside and are shown on TV screens only briefly before the focus returns to the game.
During the podcast, Travis Kelce was also asked about the number of commercials he had been involved in, to which he responded with humor, "Yeah, we racked it up in the offseason," indicating that he had taken part in several commercials and that more were in the pipeline.
The increased presence of Taylor Swift and the subsequent surge in viewership has not gone unnoticed.
According to NBC Sports, the NFL's Sunday broadcast averaged 27 million viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday program since the Super Bowl aired in February.
NFL Responds to Travis Kelce Backlash
The NFL has responded to criticism from some football enthusiasts regarding their recent focus on pop sensation Taylor Swift and her rumored relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift, 33, has attended Kelce's last two games, one in Kansas City on September 24 and the other in New York this past Sunday.
The NFL's increased attention toward Swift included alterations to their social media profiles, such as changing their Instagram bio to "The @Chiefs are now 2-0 with @TaylorSwift13 in attendance" and briefly featuring Swift as their TikTok header.
In response to the backlash from a portion of their football fanbase, the NFL clarified their social media strategy on Tuesday, explaining that these changes are standard practices.
The NFL told PEOPLE, "We frequently change our bios and profile imagery based on what's happening in and around our games, as well as culturally."
The league further noted that the presence of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in recent news has represented a cultural convergence of sports and entertainment, prompting them to engage with this moment in real time.
Moreover, the NFL emphasized that the bulk of their content continues to focus on the core aspects of the sport, including the game itself, the players, and various other initiatives such as the Toy Story Funday Football alt-cast, international games, and more.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Travis Kelce Says NFL Is 'Overdoing' Taylor Swift Coverage - From Entertainment Tonight