Written By Allen Sharp October 6th, 2023
Conspiracy theory alert! The NFL is using the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce relationship to boost ratings. This will lead to the NFL doing whatever it takes to get the Chiefs back into the Super Bowl.
The NFL is known for its creative marketing strategies and its ability to generate billions of dollars in revenue from various sources. But is the league also orchestrating one of the most unexpected celebrity romances of the year to increase its popularity and profits? Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce began making headlines in September, when they were first rumored to be dating. Since then, Swift has been spotted at two of Kelces games, most recently a matchup against the New York Jets, where Swift cheered Kelce on from the stands with his mother.
While some fans are happy for the couple, others are skeptical about their relationship and suspect that it is a publicity stunt engineered by the NFL. Here are some reasons why these theories might not be so far-fetched:
The NFL has a huge TV deal with multiple networks, which accounts for over 10 billion U.S. dollars annually. The league also earns nearly 1.9 billion U.S. dollars from corporate sponsorships. Having a high-profile celebrity like Swift associated with the NFL could attract more viewers and advertisers, especially among her loyal fan base.
The NFL has been experimenting with streaming and gambling as new sources of income. I’ll admit, this example is a little out there, but bear with me here: Swift has a massive online presence, with over 200 million followers on Instagram and over 90 million on Twitter. She also has a loyal fan base on TikTok, where fans have been creating viral videos about her relationship with Kelce. By tapping into Swift’s digital influence, the NFL could boost its streaming numbers and attract more gamblers to its games.
The NFL has been facing some challenges in recent years, such as controversies over player concussions and the national anthem protests. The league has also seen a decline in attendance and ratings in some markets. Taylor Swift is a DARLING. Everyone loves Swift so by creating a positive buzz around one of its teams and players, the NFL could improve its image and reputation among fans and the public.
The NFL has a history of using celebrities to promote its games and events. For example, the league has invited stars like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira to perform at its Super Bowl halftime shows. The league has also partnered with celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Will Smith to produce content for its social media platforms. Having Swift as a potential Super Bowl story and guest could generate more hype and excitement for the event, from non-traditional NFL fans.
Finally, the most obvious piece of evidence that supports the conspiracy is the questionable officiating in the Chiefs’ win over the Jets on Sunday night. The Jets were robbed of a chance to upset the Chiefs by several blatant mistakes from the referees, who seemed to favor the Chiefs in crucial moments. For example, on a third-and-20 play late in the fourth quarter, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner was penalized for defensive holding on Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, even though he barely touched him. The penalty negated an interception by Michael Carter II and gave the ball back to Patrick Mahomes, who ran out the clock. Jets coach Robert Saleh was furious with the call and argued with the referee Frank Steratore. Many fans and analysts agreed that the call was wrong and that the Jets were screwed. To make matters worse, the NFL changed its social media profiles to say “Chiefs are 2-0 as Swifties” after the game, implying that they were rooting for the Chiefs because of their connection to Taylor Swift. This sparked outrage among Jets fans and an uptick of conspiracy theorists, who accused the NFL of being biased and manipulating the outcome of the game.
Based on these reasons, it is possible that the NFL is behind the Swift-Kelce romance and is using it as a marketing tool to increase its revenue and ratings. What does this mean for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce’s team?
Some fans believe that the NFL is favoring the Chiefs and giving them an advantage to reach the Super Bowl, where they could face off against Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, in a rematch of last year’s championship game. This would pit two of its biggest stars and stories against each other. The Eagles “Brotherly Shove” is probably the second biggest story right now, making the game a ratings bonanza for the league.
Whether or not the NFL is behind the Swift-Kelce romance, one thing is certain: their relationship has sparked a lot of interest and debate among fans and media alike. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how their romance evolves and how the NFL attaches itself to it and runs.