It’s been a long time coming: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are “supposedly” dating, and the Taylor Swift Effect is real.
They put the money in the bag and stole the keys to our hearts. Kansas City tight end, Travis Kelce, recently shouted out Taylor Swift in his football podcast, “New Heights,” after attending The Eras Tour at Arrowhead Stadium on July 8. On July 26, Kelce mentioned the friendship bracelet he made for the star containing his number; however, he claimed he never got to give it to Swift. Apparently, it did not stop her from noticing him. After the media forgot about this iconic moment, Kelce dropped another subtle hint, asking Swift to watch him “rock at Arrowhead” as he had watched her. To the world’s surprise, on Sept. 24, Swift was “on the bleachers” to watch the Chiefs versus Bears game. Now, the NFL (and Travis Kelce) are benefiting from the Taylor Swift Effect.
With 273 million followers on Instagram and a tour grossing $2.2 billion (so far), Swift is one of the most successful artists of her time. Her fandom of Swifties wields a power unlike any other, and the NFL benefits from it. The Sept. 24 Chiefs game averaged 24.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched television program of that week. To put this in perspective, last season’s most-viewed game was between Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers, averaging 24.1 million viewers. In addition, the Chiefs vs. Jets game was the most-watched Sunday Night NFL game since the Super Bowl, according to Entertainment Tonight.
Some Swifties tuned into the game to watch the romance.
“I watched some of the games with Taylor in them and definitely watched clips of her at the game after it was over,” senior and Swiftie Leora Leavey said.
The NFL is not the only one benefitting from the Taylor Swift Effect. According to the NFL, Kelce’s jersey sales increased by 400% following the game. Before his game against the Bears, he was reportedly outside the top ten for jersey sales. Now he is within the top 5. Post-Bears game, Kelce gained 383K new followers on Instagram.
Kelce’s podcast with his brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, has gotten an additional 1M views since Swift’s appearance at the Chiefs games.
“Since I found out they were dating, I started listening to Travis’ podcast. I liked it; it was kinda funny!” senior Swiftie Alana Cooper said.
Commentators started dropping subtle Swift references until they weren’t so subtle anymore. Swift was welcomed to New York at the Chiefs-Jets game, appearing on screen, according to Jason Kelce, no fewer than 17 times during the game.
“Damn, that’s crazy. That’s like once a drive,” Travis Kelce remarked on his podcast.
Later, he clarified that there is no bad blood between him and the NFL.
“I think it’s fun when they show who was at the game. I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere and it brings a little more to what you’re watching, but at the same time I think they’re overdoing it,” Kelce said on his podcast.
Kelce is not the only one who believes sports media is overdoing it with their Swift coverage. Some avid football watchers are indifferent about the relationship and think the media is taking away from the football games with their Swiftie-centered media.
“I think both parties are definitely benefitting from the relationship and I think for some people it’s worth the hype, but for others who don’t really care, like me, it’s a bit excessive,” junior Eagles fan Dylan Oliver said.
Even football-loving Swifties think the NFL and other news networks should shake it off.
“I feel that the NFL has gotten way too involved in the situation. I could go on and on about why I don’t like it, but to just sum it up, I like how two things I love are coming together, but the NFL is milking it way too much for me to enjoy,” senior Swiftie and Eagles fan Brandon Moon said.
After the Bears game, Kelce drove into the sunset with Swift in a getaway car. It was later discovered that Kelce had rented out an entire restaurant for teammates, family, and the one and only Taylor Swift. The Swifties swooned, and Kelce became the man for her just like that. Swift tends to stay out of the media, preferring to keep her relationships private, thus an explanation of why pictures of the two are limited. Nevertheless, a photo of them driving off proved romance is not dead, they keep it just theirs.
Kelce is very different from Swift’s usual romantic interests, who tend to be in the entertainment industry, but you know what they say, you can’t help who you fall for. I guess you could say it is the era of “New Romantics” for Swift. Will this match be the match of our wildest dreams? It is her 13th boyfriend after all…
