With celebrity presence at NFL games, Simone Biles and Taylor Swift have recently garnered considerable attention, primarily due to their visibility on camera. Earlier this year, during the Super Bowl in February, Swift made headlines as she supported her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, while attending the game featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers.
CBS reported that Swift captured 0.36% of the Super Bowl broadcast, amounting to 54 seconds of airtime. This sparked mixed feelings among viewers; some NFL fans expressed frustration over the heavy focus on Swift, while others questioned why her screen time significantly surpassed that of other celebrity attendees.
The debate intensified when comparing her screen time to that of gymnast Simone Biles, who is also prominent within the NFL scene.
As the wife of NFL player Jonathan Owens, Biles fiercely supports him at his games. Nonetheless, despite her fame and status, she has consistently received less airtime compared to Swift, even during games where Owens excelled. This disparity raised questions about broadcasting choices.
The issue resurfaced when Biles attended a game at Soldier Field to cheer for her husband against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite her stature and enthusiastic support, she was again overshadowed by Swift in terms of screen time.
One fan voiced their frustration, stating, “Give her the same Taylor Swift treatment please @nfl.”
Another remarked, “Why isn’t Simone getting the hype that Swift is from attending games lol.”
Social media users pointed out the inconsistency in coverage, questioning why Biles, a highly influential figure, didn’t receive equal camera attention.
Prior to the Super Bowl, it was noted that Swift’s previous appearances totaled under 25 seconds. However, during the Chiefs vs. Dolphins game in January, she had a notable one minute and 16 seconds on screen, a substantial increase from her earlier times.
In comparison, Biles, who passionately supports Owens and is celebrated for her achievements, has not enjoyed the same media focus or visibility at games.