A recent survey by The Athletic revealed that a significant majority of NFL players view the media coverage surrounding Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as a positive development for the league.
Out of 102 players who responded to the poll, 74 reported that Swift’s attendance at NFL games had a beneficial impact, while only five considered it negative, and 23 offered neutral opinions.
One player highlighted the commercial angle.
“I think it’s been positive for the league. At the end of the day, it’s a business, and you need to get as many eyes on it as possible. She brings a lot of eyes, so if that increases the salary cap, I don’t think anybody’s gonna be too mad about that one.,” the player declared.
This view underscores the potential financial gains associated with Swift’s visibility at games.
However, not all players shared this enthusiasm. One player expressed frustration over the disproportionate media focus on Swift.
“I feel like she is getting unnecessary coverage. There was the whole NFL opening season video on Twitter, and she was featured five times while our quarterback was featured none. That’s not even right. She is not the NFL,” he added.
This response indicates that some athletes feel sidelined by the attention Swift receives.
Swift’s impact on the NFL is palpable
Swift first appeared at a Chiefs game during Week 3 of the 2023 season and went on to attend numerous games, culminating in her presence at Super Bowl LVIII, where the Chiefs secured a second consecutive title against the San Francisco 49ers.
Her involvement has significantly benefited the Chiefs’ brand, generating an estimated 331.5 million dollars in value for the team during the 2023 season, according to a report from Front Office Sports.
The NFL also experienced a notable increase in female viewership, achieving its highest numbers since 2000, along with a resurgence in viewers aged 18 to 34, the highest since 2019. This trend aligns with Swift’s broad appeal and suggests a strategic marketing opportunity for the league.
With the NFL reporting record national revenue figures in 2023, it is likely that the league will continue to capitalize on Swift’s popularity as long as she remains a prominent figure at Arrowhead Stadium. Overall, players seem generally supportive of this marketing approach, indicating that Swift’s association with the NFL could yield significant benefits for the league.
