• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 6, 2026

NFL, Kelce At Odds On Taylor Swift Coverage

  • Travis Kelce says the NFL is overdoing the hype around his relationship with Taylor Swift.
  • Chiefs-Jets drew 27 million viewers on NBC with Swift in attendance.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Is there no such thing as too much publicity?

The relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift has turned the NFL into a pop culture media circus since the pop superstar first attended the Kansas City Chiefs-Chicago Bears game at Arrowhead Stadium two weeks ago.

But after NBC cut away to Taylor Swift 17 times during the Chiefs-Jets “Sunday Night Football” broadcast and showed two commercials for her new movie, the man at the center of it all believes the hype may be getting too big.

“They’re overdoing it a little bit for sure, especially my situation,” Kelce said on “New Heights,” the podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. 

The Chiefs-Jets game drew 27 million viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday broadcast since Super Bowl LVII in February. NBC drew about 2 million more female viewers than its season average so far for “SNF.”

The Chiefs play at Minnesota on Sunday, then two more home games, and finally a matchup at Denver before Swift begins the international leg of The Eras Tour on Nov. 9. It remains to be seen whether she will attend any more of Kelce’s games this season.

Musical Chairs

The Swift-Kelce hype has already gotten so big that the NFL has had to defend its promotion of the relationship.

“The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport,” the league said in a statement.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Reggie Bush speaks on unionizing college football players during the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the University Club of Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Reggie Bush, Terrence Murphy Launch PE Firm for Emerging Leagues

Terrence C. Murphy and Reggie Bush are targeting $150 million for their debut fund.
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field.

Aaron Rodgers: No ‘Progressive Conversations’ with Steelers

The four-time NFL MVP again is coy about his professional future.

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Aug 25, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Progressive Field in the seventh inning of a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Ohio Gold Rush: Several Pro Teams Jockey for $400M in Funds

Nearly every Ohio pro team has applied for public aid for venue renovations.

Featured Today

Nicole Silveira

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”
Dec 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Ball Arena.
March 1, 2026

Young Athletes Have Entered Their LinkedIn Era

Athletes can’t play forever. Some are laying the groundwork for Act 2.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.
February 27, 2026

The American Sports Owners Feuding Over a French Soccer Team

John Textor is at odds with Michele Kang and investment giant Ares.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Mar 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sportscaster Bob Costas before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

NBC Wants to Make NBA ‘Throwback’ Game Annual Event

NBC’s nostalgic ’90s-themed broadcast of Spurs-76ers on Tuesday was a big hit.
Mar 15, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; FS1 announcer Jason Benetti during the game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington State Cougars at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive
March 4, 2026

Sources: NBC Taps Jason Benetti As Top MLB Announcer

Benetti was previously with Fox and will retain his role on Tigers broadcasts.
March 4, 2026

Record Number of MLB Stars in WBC Fuels Viewership Expectations

The international tournament features a record number of All-Stars.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
March 3, 2026

Tigers, Red Wings Get New TV Home With Detroit SportsNet Launch

The Detroit venture is the latest in a series of team-based moves.
Jamie Little interviews Michael Jordan
March 3, 2026

How Fox’s Jamie Little Became the Michael Jordan Whisperer

The Fox Sports pit reporter has become Michael Jordan’s go-to NASCAR interviewer.
March 2, 2026

ESPN Exec: Caitlin Clark Is ‘Gateway Drug’ to Women’s Sports 

ESPN said Clark drew fans but growth extends beyond her star power.
CBS Sports THE NFL TODAY+ on September 14, 2025. Pictured (L-R): Antonio Pierce, Kyle Long, Amanda Guerra, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson. CBS Sports THE NFL TODAY+ on September 14, 2025. Pictured (L-R): Antonio Pierce, Kyle Long, Amanda Guerra, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson. Photo:
March 2, 2026

Paramount Plans to Merge Streaming Service with HBO Max After WBD Deal..

The combined service will start with about 200 million subscribers.