Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce since last year has generated substantial chatter from NFL fans, with the singer making regular appearances at games. However, according to an anonymous poll conducted in 2024 by The Athletic with NFL players, nearly 72.5% of them saw Swift’s presence positively contributing to the league. A mere 4.9% of players deemed her involvement negative, while 22.5% were neutral. A total of 102 players voted on the issue.
One player supporting Swift’s presence highlighted the game’s business aspect and the vast audience which Swift draws to the sport, asserting that it could positively impact the salary cap. Similarly, another player commented on the advantage of bringing in audiences from Swift’s fanbase who might not usually tune into football. Non-football fans, the player explained, could now become viewers, expanding the game’s reach.
Yet, several players did not share this optimistic perspective. Citing issues from the perceived disproportionate focus on Swift and perceived distraction from the game, they expressed their skepticism. One player criticized the excessive coverage Swift receives, pointing out that in a particular NFL season-opening video, Swift featured five times, while their quarterback did not appear at all. Another player echoed this, pointing out that the attention was more on Swift’s presence than on the ongoing game.
Some players found Swift’s involvement to be both a boon and a curse for the game. While recognizing that her popularity brought more attention and likely viewership to the game, they also felt her presence might become overbearing for audiences if excessively highlighted. Engaging female viewers, particularly the younger generation, was cited as a positive aspect. Still, they cautioned that football fans could grow tired of constantly seeing Swift, thereby suggesting a balance was needed to appreciate her contribution without overshadowing the game.
However, some players maintained a nonchalant attitude towards Swift’s appearance at the games. One player admitted his enjoyment of Swift’s music but expressed indifference about whether she was present at the matches or not. Whether her involvement is deemed positive, negative, or neutral, Swift’s relationship with Kelce and subsequent patronage of NFL games have undeniably drawn global attention to the league.
