Kaylah Walton
Let’s talk about the influence of social media presence. Travis Kelce, known for his prowess on the football field, is also making waves on Instagram akin to a fireworks display on the Fourth of July. Enter the realm of Travis Kelce, where his popularity rivals that of a Lombardi Trophy in Kansas City, fueled by what can only be described as the Taylor Swift Effect.
Within the Kansas City Chiefs, both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are top talents in their respective positions, holding three Super Bowl wins between them. While their on-field performances shine, they are now engaged in a digital showdown.
Kelce and Mahomes are currently in a social media rivalry, with Kelce recently achieving a significant milestone, all thanks to the Taylor Swift effect. A recent study conducted by sports analytics firm Tips.gg highlighted Kelce’s remarkable surge in Instagram followers over a single week.
After joining Taylor Swift on stage during her Eras tour concerts in London and Dublin, where Kelce impressed with his dancing skills, his Instagram followers skyrocketed by 256,849. This surge pushed his follower count to an impressive 6,792,084, surpassing Mahomes’ count of 6,790,013.
The Rise of Travis Kelce to Celebrity Status Through Taylor Swift’s Influence
An article by TotalProSports emphasized the crucial role Taylor Swift played in Kelce’s ascent, introducing millions of her fans to the excitement of football. Anton Malyutin, the Founder and CEO of Tips.gg, noted that Kelce’s global popularity surge could be attributed in part to his success with the Chiefs in winning back-to-back Super Bowls and his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
The impact isn’t limited to social media alone. Following the Chiefs’ victory over the Chicago Bears in September 2023, with Swift supporting from the stands, searches for Kelce jerseys surged by 1,267%. For the first time, Kelce jerseys outsold those of Mahomes.
Fox Sports reported a nearly 400% spike in Kelce’s jersey sales post Swift’s appearance. Fanatics highlighted that Kelce, previously outside the top 10 in jersey sales, became one of the top 5 selling NFL players post the surge.
Though already an elite NFL player, Kelce’s newfound stardom extends beyond the field, propelling him into social media and retail success.
What’s next for Kelce? A platinum album? A spot on Dancing with the Stars? With Taylor Swift on his side, the possibilities are endless. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes might be pondering how he got outdone in followers by someone who dances better in shoulder pads than most do in formal wear.
