Kaylah Walton
A new survey conducted by The Athletic shows that a large portion of NFL players views the media attention on Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as advantageous for the league.
Among 102 players who participated in the survey, 74 shared that Swift’s presence at NFL games positively influences the sport. In contrast, only five thought it was detrimental, while 23 maintained a neutral stance.
One player emphasized the commercial implications.
“I believe this is good for the league. Ultimately, it’s all about business, and we need to get more viewers. She attracts a lot of attention, so if this leads to an increase in the salary cap, everyone will be happy,” the player expressed.
This sentiment highlights the potential financial benefits tied to Swift’s visibility at NFL events.
On the flip side, not every player felt the same excitement. One expressed annoyance at the excessive media spotlight on Swift.
“I think she is getting more coverage than necessary. In the NFL’s season-opening video on Twitter, she appeared five times while our quarterback wasn’t shown at all. That doesn’t seem fair. She is not the NFL,” he noted.
This reaction indicates that some athletes may feel overshadowed by the attention given to Swift.
Swift’s influence on the NFL is evident
Swift first attended a Chiefs game during Week 3 of the 2023 season and has since been a regular, even appearing at Super Bowl LVIII, where the Chiefs claimed their second consecutive victory against the San Francisco 49ers.
Her involvement has notably enhanced the Chiefs’ brand, contributing an estimated 331.5 million dollars in value for the team throughout the 2023 season as reported by Front Office Sports.
The NFL has also seen a rise in female viewers, reaching its highest statistics since 2000, alongside a rebound in audience numbers for those aged 18 to 34, the best since 2019. This shift correlates with Swift’s widespread popularity and presents a valuable marketing angle for the league.
Given the NFL’s record revenue figures in 2023, the league is poised to continue leveraging Swift’s appeal for as long as she remains a visible figure at Arrowhead Stadium. Overall, players appear to largely support this promotional strategy, suggesting that Swift’s connection with the NFL may bring substantial gains for the league.
